When I was about 11 years old, and in grade 7, I was diagnosed with Juvenile (Type 1) Diabetes, it was about a week after Halloween, and my Mom noticed something wasn't right when I drank almost an entire 19 liter (5 US gal) water cooler bottle ... in less than 4 days. In addition to the constant thirst (and subsequent washroom breaks) I had a general feeling of malaise, I was incredibly tired and irritable. I stayed home from school for a few days and when I showed no signs of improvement, my Mom took me to see a doctor. The doctor sent me for some blood tests, and the next day we received a phone call from the Dr.'s office telling me to go to the hospital asap, though couldn't tell us why over the phone. We got to the hospital emergency and ended up waiting for a few hours - I jokingly said ' There better be something really wrong with me, if they're making me wait this long' ... in retrospect, NOT FUNNY.I don't recall what my sugars were when I went in but I was not allowed to eat, and was immediately given insulin. My sugars were checked about every 3 hours (Via Finger pricks) needless to say, my finger pads felt worse than pin-cusions. I ended up staying 2-3 weeks, and besides the food, injections & finger pricks ever 3-4 hours all day & night,it really wasn't so bad, ...
as the doctors tried to stabilize my bloodsugar and find a regimen of insulin that suited my lifestyle, eating habits and day-to-day schedule, my parents and I were attending a daily Crash-course in Diabetes. my parents were required to understand diabetes as much as I was and there was ALOT to understand. The last part of the crash course was getting me to be ale to give myself injections - not an easy thing to become accustomed to at age 11 - we started off by injecting oranges, then when I had said I was ready, the nurses would measure out my insulin and guide me through injecting myself. eventually I was measuring my insulin and injecting myself. When it came to my parents learning how to test my sugars and inject me, ... whole 'nother story. Letting my mom do it I was fine, but when it came to letting my dad do it... not so much,... it took two nurses, my mom, and my dad kind of sitting on me, before he was able to inject me, I don't know what it was but the thought of my dad's rough, calloused Sausage fingers doing something that required precision and a delicate touch, I didn't trust him. By the time he was done, I was still cringing and waiting for him to get it over with ... I didn't even feel it.
If Diabetes (Either type) Runs in your family, you are at risk of getting it. Be aware of your eating habits. Excessive consumption of refined sugars and otherwise processed foods can trigger Diabetes.
Types Of Diabetes ;
Juvenile Diabetes; (Type 1) - When a pancreas stops working altogether. (artificial Insulin is given to accommodate)
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes;
(Type 2) Body responds abnormally to sugars though the pancreas is still working. (Oral Meds are given to boost insulin production )
Gestational Diabetes; (pregnancy Diabetes) Occasionally happens during pregnancy. Advanced age is a risk factor. - can often be treated with monitoring, diet and exercise
Risk Factors Include;
- Sedentary or otherwise inactive lifestyle
- Excessive consumption of sugary &/or processed foods
- Family History (Diabetes can be genetic)
- Race (Diabetes [Type 1] is more common in whites than other races) blacks, Hispanics, American Indians and Asians are at a higher risk for Type 2
Prevention ;
- Maintain an active lifestyle; (This doesn't have to mean going to the gym, Do some reps Bench-pressing your baby, sit and bounce on a balance ball or walk on your treadmill instead of lounging on the couch,
- Avoid Sugary, processed foods; Grab a Vitamin water, or Diet pop instead of your regular Sugar laden pop or energy drink
- Get tested; People with a family history should get tested for diabetes every 6 months or so.
- Lose some weight!; the fewer extra pounds you are carrying around, the less likely you are to get diabetes.
Treatment;
- Pre-Diabetes; If you are Diagnosed with you will want to see the 'Prevention' section... Doctors orders!- Diet and exercise can be used to prevent the Diabetes from progressing to the point where Injections and pills are necessary ... If that's not reason enough to get yourself in shape, I don't know what is!
- Glucose Testing; Involves Pricking your finger (Or arm - That's what I use, I find it hurts less- Consult your doctor) and using a blood-tester machine (About the size or a pager or cell-phone) to monitor your glucose levels - Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes all require this
- Insulin; Can be administered VIA Injection (that's what I use, I'm oldshool) Pen or Pump - Type 1 Diabetics ALWAYS require this ...as well as SOME Type 2 diabetics...
- Oral Meds; Generally used for type 2 Diabetics, Oral Medication (Such as Metformin) boost Insulin production but do not lower elevated glucose levels
My Diabetes 'Gear'
Insulin (Fast and slow-acting)
Blood tester, Lancet and Test strips
