Nick Jonas says he was 'very close to a coma' when he was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 13
Nick Jonas was reportedly struggling to make it through each day before he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
The singer, who was just 13 years old at the time of the diagnosis, had already lost a significant amount of weight at that time. Furthermore, he had also developed an unquenchable dependence on sugar-packed sodas, stated a People report.
His symptoms were first noticed by one of the Jonas Brothers before he went to visit a doctor. Upon subsequent examination, they found that Nick's blood sugar level was at a staggering 917, nine times higher than normal.
"I was very close to a coma," Nick, now 27, told Cigar Aficionado. "Like a day away, if I hadn't gone to the hospital."
He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, in which the patient's body requires medication as it creates very little or no insulin on its own.
The 'Jealous' hitmaker was thereafter fearful of living life relying on insulin shots to maintain his health. "I kept asking my parents — am I going to be okay?" he said.
"I was just so concerned that it was going to limit my ability to do all the things I wanted to do. I was very scared — it’s a big life change," Nick shared.
However, the singer-songwriter soon realized using an insulin pump was much easier than he expected. "I found out very quickly it's a very manageable disease," he said. "As long as you're really diligent."
Nick has now spent over 14 years managing his diabetes and now works to share his experience with those afflicted with the disease and help them understand how to "prioritize a healthy life".
"You must go see your doctor and get your check-ups and make sure you're in the healthiest space you can be in because it’s going to make every aspect of your life better," he previously told People.