|
Understanding Type I Diabetes
|
by Michele Catahay, KUAM News
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
|
KUAM Video requires Flash 8.
download it Here.
|
|
Last year alone, more than 100,000 people, 20 years and younger, were diagnosed with Type I diabetes, also known as Juvenile Diabetes. While this only represents 0.2% of the population, this form of the disease is typically the most severe, and annually accounts for more than $100 billion in health care. Not only are children diagnosed with Type I diabetes dependent on insulin for the rest of their lives, the disease can also lead to complications such as blindness, heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure if not treated properly.
While a cure for Type I diabetes has yet to be found, there are ways to ensure your child's health, and help them avoid the life-threatening complications that are associated with the disease. From the start, your child's diet should be carefully monitored, and their blood sugar levels need to be checked several times daily along with regular injections of insulin.
Teens diagnosed with Type I diabetes also need to be wary of their condition, especially those on their way into college. Keeping a balanced, nutritious diet, along with regular exercise and staying smart about drinking and partying will help keep teens' blood sugar levels manageable, and, in turn, aid in avoiding any life-threatening complications.
It's also important to note that Type I diabetes is sometimes coupled with celiac disease, which attacks the autoimmune system, causing it to react to gluten proteins found in bread products. If your child is diagnosed with Type I diabetes, it is wise to have them checked for celiac disease as well, since its symptoms are often mistaken for unstable blood sugar levels.
While being diagnosed with Type I diabetes can be daunting to both children and their parents, it's good to keep in mind that a normal life can still be achieved, as long as you simply stay healthy and vigilant about your condition.
KUAM's Ciarra Ingles contributed to this report
|