Type 1 is commonly known as juvenile diabetes. Type 1 diabetics produce no insulin
from their pancreas., and therefor are “insulin dependent.” It’s important to realize
that everyone uses insulin, even non-diabetics. The difference between diabetics and
non-diabetics is non-diabetics produce enough natural insulin. Insulin is needed by
the body to use and breakdown sugar. All food is broken down into sugar by the body.
Without insulin the body cannot use the food you take in. So it is possible to become
malnourished which can make you very sick, this applies to Type 1 and 2. Insulin has
to be injected into the body. Some people use an insulin pump. There are new
methods coming down the road, like inhaled insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is just a little different. Type 2 means your body still produces insulin,
just not enough. Or your body has become insulin resistant. Some people with this
type of diabetes can sometimes control their sugar levels with oral medications and
exercise. Exercising has been proven to make your body less insulin resistant and lets
the body use insulin more effectively. Sometimes oral meds and exercise aren’t
enough. That’s when you need to take the insulin shots. Being over weight and not
getting enough exercise are main factors for Type 2. Sometimes Type 2 people can
reduce the amount of meds or insulin needed just by losing weight.
As I mentioned earlier many children now are becoming diagnosed with Type 2
diabetes.. Sometimes there are no outward symptoms and the diabetes is only
discovered through blood and urine tests. Having uncontrolled diabetes for many
years can start to effect your entire body internally. Eyes, heart, kidneys are the main
concerns and it effects how well your body can heal after an injury. So the sooner you
can start taking care of it, the longer it takes for problems to show. If you're a parent
and especially if you have diabetes, it may be a good idea to take your child in for a
diabetic screening.
Even though you have no symptoms and you feel great, you can still have diabetes
and if you do, be assured that the disease is effecting your body very, very, very
slowly.—At least in the beginning. It may take decades for any damage to appear, but
when it does its usually irreversable and sometimes life threatening. Keep in mind that
the diabetic risk factors are being over weight with not enough physical activity and
family history. Now sometimes there are symptoms. So parents it's important to
recognize them, some symptoms include:
* frequent urination because the body tries to get rid of the extra blood sugar through
urine.
* excessive thirst—the body’s way of replacing the fluids lost in the body because of
all the peeing
* eating a lot because the body is hungry for the energy it can't get from sugar
* lose weight as the body starts to use fat and muscle for fuel because it can't use
sugar normally
* feel tired a lot because the body can't use sugar for energy (especially within a
couple hours of eating a meal)
* and blurry vision
These can either be for Type 1 or Type 2. It’s a good idea to keep some candy, or
something on you in case you are having low blood sugar symptoms, that can include:
* shakiness
* rapid heartbeat
* sweating
* and sometimes even light sensitivity to where if effects your vision.
There are thousands of kids out there that have diabetes, (I found out I had type 2 in
12th grade). If you are one of them, just remember not to let it get in the way of your
playtime and making friends. Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed by it, especially to the
point of not taking your medicine at school when you need to. Lots of kids have to take
medicine at school, and it’s just not for diabetes, there are other reasons.
If you are feeling sick or need help with your medicine, don’t be afraid to go to the
school nurse. If you have diabetic questions the school nurse can help answer them as
well.
Make sure the school office also knows you have diabetes so they can note it on the
information they have on file for you. If you feel you have any of the above symptoms
let your parents know, and maybe ask them if you should be tested for it. Being
diagnosed with diabetes can be a scary thing, but don’t worry, many people with
diabetes live long happy lives, it just requires some adjusting. Knowledge about
diabetes can be one your best line of defense, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
from their pancreas., and therefor are “insulin dependent.” It’s important to realize
that everyone uses insulin, even non-diabetics. The difference between diabetics and
non-diabetics is non-diabetics produce enough natural insulin. Insulin is needed by
the body to use and breakdown sugar. All food is broken down into sugar by the body.
Without insulin the body cannot use the food you take in. So it is possible to become
malnourished which can make you very sick, this applies to Type 1 and 2. Insulin has
to be injected into the body. Some people use an insulin pump. There are new
methods coming down the road, like inhaled insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is just a little different. Type 2 means your body still produces insulin,
just not enough. Or your body has become insulin resistant. Some people with this
type of diabetes can sometimes control their sugar levels with oral medications and
exercise. Exercising has been proven to make your body less insulin resistant and lets
the body use insulin more effectively. Sometimes oral meds and exercise aren’t
enough. That’s when you need to take the insulin shots. Being over weight and not
getting enough exercise are main factors for Type 2. Sometimes Type 2 people can
reduce the amount of meds or insulin needed just by losing weight.
As I mentioned earlier many children now are becoming diagnosed with Type 2
diabetes.. Sometimes there are no outward symptoms and the diabetes is only
discovered through blood and urine tests. Having uncontrolled diabetes for many
years can start to effect your entire body internally. Eyes, heart, kidneys are the main
concerns and it effects how well your body can heal after an injury. So the sooner you
can start taking care of it, the longer it takes for problems to show. If you're a parent
and especially if you have diabetes, it may be a good idea to take your child in for a
diabetic screening.
Even though you have no symptoms and you feel great, you can still have diabetes
and if you do, be assured that the disease is effecting your body very, very, very
slowly.—At least in the beginning. It may take decades for any damage to appear, but
when it does its usually irreversable and sometimes life threatening. Keep in mind that
the diabetic risk factors are being over weight with not enough physical activity and
family history. Now sometimes there are symptoms. So parents it's important to
recognize them, some symptoms include:
* frequent urination because the body tries to get rid of the extra blood sugar through
urine.
* excessive thirst—the body’s way of replacing the fluids lost in the body because of
all the peeing
* eating a lot because the body is hungry for the energy it can't get from sugar
* lose weight as the body starts to use fat and muscle for fuel because it can't use
sugar normally
* feel tired a lot because the body can't use sugar for energy (especially within a
couple hours of eating a meal)
* and blurry vision
These can either be for Type 1 or Type 2. It’s a good idea to keep some candy, or
something on you in case you are having low blood sugar symptoms, that can include:
* shakiness
* rapid heartbeat
* sweating
* and sometimes even light sensitivity to where if effects your vision.
There are thousands of kids out there that have diabetes, (I found out I had type 2 in
12th grade). If you are one of them, just remember not to let it get in the way of your
playtime and making friends. Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed by it, especially to the
point of not taking your medicine at school when you need to. Lots of kids have to take
medicine at school, and it’s just not for diabetes, there are other reasons.
If you are feeling sick or need help with your medicine, don’t be afraid to go to the
school nurse. If you have diabetic questions the school nurse can help answer them as
well.
Make sure the school office also knows you have diabetes so they can note it on the
information they have on file for you. If you feel you have any of the above symptoms
let your parents know, and maybe ask them if you should be tested for it. Being
diagnosed with diabetes can be a scary thing, but don’t worry, many people with
diabetes live long happy lives, it just requires some adjusting. Knowledge about
diabetes can be one your best line of defense, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
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This article helps define Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes,
What causes it and some steps in treating it. Along with
information that may help children and young adults in
dealing with the disease.
There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2.
Years ago it used to be that if a child had diabetes it was
Type 1. Recently there have been more and more cases
of Type 2 showing up. It used to be more common in
people over 30, now there is an alarming number of pre-
teen and teens being diagnosed with it. Let’s take a
moment to discuss the differences.
What causes it and some steps in treating it. Along with
information that may help children and young adults in
dealing with the disease.
There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2.
Years ago it used to be that if a child had diabetes it was
Type 1. Recently there have been more and more cases
of Type 2 showing up. It used to be more common in
people over 30, now there is an alarming number of pre-
teen and teens being diagnosed with it. Let’s take a
moment to discuss the differences.
By; Joe Simon
4th Edition - Nov 2005