Understanding My Disease

(OK, so there is a bunch of "stuff" on this page, but it IS important!)

Warning Signs for Type 1 Diabetes

Extreme Thirst
Frequent Urination
Sudden vision changes
Sugar in urine
Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath
Increased appetite
Sudden weight loss
Drowsiness, lethargy
Heavy, labored breathing
Stupor, unconsciousness

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE EXHIBITS ONE OR MORE OF THESE SYMPTOMS, CALL A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY!

Misdiagnosis can have tragic consequences. Type 1 can easily be mistaken for more common illnesses, such as the flu.

Scientists and doctors still do not entirely understand what causes Type I Diabetes

Statistics

As many as 3 million Americans may have Type 1 diabetes
Each year more than 15,000 kids are diagnosed with Type 1 - that's 35 children each and every day
Those with Type 1 diabetes incur medical expenses that are about 2-3 times higher than those without diabetes
Diabetes kills one American every three minutes and is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.
Life expectancy is shortened by an average of 7 to 10 years and the risk of death for people with diabetes is about double that of people of similar age without diabetes

Type 2 is not the same as Type 1

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease in which a person's pancreas stops producing insulin. They need insulin to stay alive.
Type 2 is a metabolic disorder in which a person's body still produces insulin but is unable to use it effectively. Type 2 is usually diagnosed in adulthood and does not always require insulin injections.
Type 2 is like having a headache...Type 1 is like having a heart attack.

So how much do you know about diabetes?

FACT:
You CAN'T catch juvenile diabetes
Juvenile diabetes is not contagious. You can't catch it like a cold, the flu or chicken pox. Doctors know some things about diabetes, but they still don't know what causes the disease.

FACT:
You CAN'T get juvenile diabetes from eating too much candy.
You may get cavities or gain weight from eating too many sweets, but you won't get juvenile diabetes. Kids with diabetes didn't do anything wrong. It just happened!

FACT:
Insulin is NOT a cure.
Everyone has a pancreas. Everyone needs insulin to live. Kids with juvenile diabetes have to take insulin because their pancreas no longer makes insulin. But insulin is not a cure. It is a treatment

FACT:
People with diabetes CAN eat cake and ice cream!
Yes, it's true! But like everybody else, they should not overdo the sweets. But if they do eat cake and ice cream, they need to take more insulin. Did you know that if you don't have diabetes that you don't have to think about this? Your pancreas automatically figures out the right amount of insulin your body needs! Cool, huh?

FACT:
You CAN'T tell a person has diabetes just by looking at them
Kids with diabetes are just like everybody else! They look and act perfectly "normal." Only their pancreas doesn't work right. But, hey, nobody's perfect!

FACT:
People with diabetes CAN lead amazing lives.
Living diabetes is not fun, but people with diabetes can do whatever they set their minds to! There are actors, doctors, writers, golfers,NFL football players, Olympic athletes and even a Miss America who live with Type 1 diabetes!

FAQ'S
(DON'T ALL WEBSITES HAVE THESE?)

So what is Type 1 Diabetes?
It is a chronic, debilitating autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It comes on suddenly and causes a lifetime dependence on injected or pumped insulin.

Why is it such a big deal?
It carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Diabetics need constant attention and they have to check their blood by pricking their fingers (ouch!) six or more times a day. It is difficult to manage as there has to be a good balance between exercise, a meal plan, and injecting the right amount of insulin. There are several factors that can affect blood sugar levels, including stress, hormone changes, periods of growth, physical activity, medications, illness and fatigues.

Isn't insulin a cure?
I wish it was...but no.

What are the risks and complications of Type 1 Diabetes?
The list includes kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputations, heart attack, stroke, shortened life span.

What is it like living with this disease?
It's hard. It takes up a lot of time every day and it is sometimes very frustrating, scary, and tiresome. Blood sugar that is too low makes me feel like I have no energy and like I am starving. High blood sugar makes me very thirsty and sick to my stomach.

This is me when I was first diagnosed with Type I diabetes. i was three years old.