Diabetes Awareness

After learning that the five-year-old daughter one of my blog friends was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes, I felt inclined to share some information with all of you about the disease that affects 23.6 million children and adults in the US alone with a price tag of around $174 billion.  Most of us likely don’t know much about Diabetes unless it has personally touched us or a close loved one.  So, let’s step out of our boxes and learn something that could save our lives and maybe someone else’s.

What Is Type I Diabetes

In Type I Diabetes (formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes), the body does not produce insulin.  In case you don’t know how important insulin is, it’s the hormone that converts sugar, starch, and other foods into energy that we all need to live – yeah, pretty important.   Only about 10% of all Diabetes patients have the Type I form of the disease. When someone is diagnosed with Type I Diabetes it means their lives are going to change.  Insulin therapy, disease management, and dietary changes become the normal for the children and adults affected.  Fortunately, these individuals can lead long, active lives when these practices are followed.

How Do You Get It?

There are still some mysteries about what triggers the disease, but it is known that, in most cases, the individual inherits the risk factors from both parents.  Additionally, researchers have speculated that weather, race, early childhood diet, and environment play a role in the onset of the disease.

What Is Type II Diabetes?

Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, the much more common form of the disease.  One of the dangerous aspects of this form is that many people are unaware that they are at risk to develop the disease.  There are distinct differences between Type I and Type II Diabetes.  In Type II, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body’s cells ignore it.  It is this break down that causes glucose to build up in the blood; this malfunction triggers the complications that can be life-threatening.

How Do You Get It?

The genetic factor in Type II Diabetes is much greater.  In other words, if you have a family history of the disease, you are much more likely to get it.  The other thing that plays a strong role in the onset of Type II in Westerners is our high fat diets.  And it doesn’t help that we don’t get enough fiber and carbs and spend way too much time on the couch.  Yes, you know what I”m talking about.  Obesity is another culprit that is plaguing our country and adding countless new names to the list of new Diabetes patients.  Sadly, the cases of childhood obesity has tripled in the past thirty years.  This fact makes it even more important that we learn what we can about keeping ourselves and our children healthy.

A Family Disease

When someone is diagnosed with Diabetes, especially when it’s a child, the whole family is affected.  The participation and education of the patient’s supporters is probably one of the most important factors in the successful control of the disease.  With financial issues, schedules, and dietary adjustments, the Diabetes family sustains major changes that often require considerate outside help and information.  Organizations like the American Diabetes Association are there to provide assistance with just about every concern a family might have.

Holistic Care

In addition to the standard care for Diabetes, there are holistic practices that can enhance and even resolve some forms of the disease.  Keep in mind that anyone seeking these therapies should first consult their health care provider before implementing anything.

With careful supervision a number of alternative therapies; such as, supplements, reflexology, exercise, body work, and meditation can aid the Diabetes patient in the control of the disease and emotional issues.

Pay Attention

It is vital that you know your body, and if you’re a mom, that of your child’s.  Early detection of both types of Diabetes is important to enable the best outcome for the patient and the family.  The following symptoms are red flags that you should tell your health care provider about immediately.

Type I Diabetes

•Frequent urination

•Unusual thirst

•Extreme hunger

•Unusual weight loss

•Extreme fatigue and Irritability

Type II Diabetes

•Any of the type 1 symptoms

•Frequent infections

•Blurred vision

•Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal

•Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet

•Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections

The Hope for a Cure

The most recent development in finding a cure for Type I Diabetes is a breakthrough at Cambridge.  For more information, follow this link to the article, Scientists hail ‘artificial pancreas’ as holy grail of diabetes cure.

Thanks for learning about Diabetes with me today.  If you have any thoughts or information you’d like to share, please post it in the comment section or contact us.  Be well-be beautiful.

***The content of this article is strictly informational and is not meant to replace the advice of your health care provider. Women’s Life Link, its authors, associates, linked sites, and commentators do not claim that any of the content will diagnose or lead to a cure or improvement of any disease or condition.

Resources: The American Diabetes Association, Bodyzone.com

Photo by xxsarvakxx