American television presenter and actress Maria Menounos has revealed that she nearly lost her life in her sleep due to complications from type 1 diabetes. The 48-year-old personality shared details of her recent health struggles on social media, describing the daily management of the autoimmune condition as deeply stressful and frightening.
Menounos, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in June 2022, opened up to her followers through a series of Instagram Stories. She noted that while she does not frequently complain about her ongoing health issues, managing type 1 diabetes is not pleasant at all and requires relentless effort.
In her posts, Menounos outlined a specific ordeal she faced while preparing to eat a meal of sushi. She recounted that her primary insulin pen malfunctioned right before her meal, prompting her to reach for a backup. When she attempted to use her secondary equipment, the replacement needle broke as well.
Sharing photographs of the broken medical devices online, Menounos expressed her frustration and asked whether people were serious or kidding. She subsequently contacted medical technology manufacturer Medtronic to request an urgent replacement device for her insulin delivery system.
Medical equipment failures and family struggles
The situation was further complicated by simultaneous medical issues affecting her family. Menounos noted that her father, who also lives with type 1 diabetes, was experiencing equipment difficulties at the exact same moment.
While Menounos was on the phone with Medtronic representatives to arrange a replacement device, alerts began sounding from her father's continuous glucose monitor. She wrote that managing diabetes can be very, very stressful and frightening under such circumstances.
Reflecting on the challenges of managing device failures, Menounos made the revelation that she had almost died in her sleep just days earlier. She admitted that the continuous health demands have left her feeling tired of the entire situation.
Menounos did not provide specific medical details regarding the near-fatal episode during her sleep. She left it unclear whether the emergency was triggered by severe hypoglycemia or another acute diabetic complication.
Background on type 1 diabetes and health history
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little to no insulin, a hormone essential for regulating blood sugar levels. Patients rely on daily insulin injections or pumps, alongside continuous glucose monitoring systems manufactured by companies such as Medtronic, to track real-time blood sugar trends and prevent life-threatening complications.
Menounos is a prominent media personality who has hosted major entertainment television programs, including Access Hollywood, Extra, and E! News. She has previously spoken publicly about surviving major medical crises, including a brain tumor, pancreatic cancer, and infertility, while sharing her conviction that a higher plan guided her through her health trials.
