I have been assigned a paper to write about anything health-related, and I have decided to write my paper on Type 1 Diabetes. My three year old cousin was diagnosed with T1 last year, and I would like to know if there are any parents/grandparents/siblings of those with this type of diabetes. Please answer this question with serious intentions! Thank you!
First off I am sorry to hear about your cousin. I am a type 1 diabetic, i was diagnosed at age 29 which is strsnge. Of all diabetics 90 % are type 2 only 10 % are type 1 and of those 10 % about 95 % get it before their late teen years, I must just be lucky. I do feel lucky,
lucky it was me and NOT my kids (age 8 & 10 at that time)
lucky I was not a young child when I got it putting my parents through the hell and struggles of shots and all that.
Lucky that I live in a time where we have Insulin, and good rapid insulin and test meters.
Lucky that there is only a 3 to 5% chance my kids can get it.
So hopefully my insight has helped you
Diabetes mellitus is impaired insulin secretion and variable degrees of peripheral insulin resistance leading to hyperglycemia. Early symptoms are related to hyperglycemia and include polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria. Later complications include vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, and predisposition to infection. Diagnosis is by measuring plasma glucose. Treatment is diet, exercise, and drugs that reduce glucose levels, including insulin and oral antihyperglycemic drugs. Prognosis varies with degree of glucose control.
Please see the web pages for more details on Type 1 Diabetes.
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_1_diabetes
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000305.htm
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch158/ch158b.html#sec12-ch158-ch158b-1109
I am sorry to hear about your cousin. If you type in Joslin and click Search you will have access to the nation’s top diabetes group which is affiliated with Harvard. The clearest genetic link is found in studies of twins – if 1 twin has type 1 the likelihood that the other will develop it is 50% – and for other relatives although there is a risk it is less than 50%. Ironically type 2 has a stronger genetic pattern but the genetics is less well understood. Good luck on your paper and good luck to your cousin.
References :
No. But, my uncle has it. Also, I have a best friend with it. Her two younger sisters have type one too. So, I don’t know what you need to know but you need to use a lancet or a lancing device and poke yourself to get blood. Then you put that blood from your finger onto a testing strip. Then you put it in a meter and read your sugar. You also have to count your carbohydrates to see how much insulin you need to inject. You can do that with an insulin pump or a syringe.
References :
I have a 16 yr old who has had diabetes since she was 2 years old.Her identical twin does not have it.
Since the advent of immediate acting insulin,treating type 1 is so much easier.When she was dxed, I would cook these very well balanced meals for her and being a two yr old, She would throw her food on the floor.Her punishment was.. ice cream.In those days – just 14 yrs ago, you had to dose the kids before eating since the insulin took a while to kick in. If she didn’t eat she would bottom out so she had to have some hi carbo foods .
Now a days, you can dose a child based upon what she has already eaten.
Of course now my daughter is old enough to be in charge of her own care.She wears an insulin pump and is doing well with it.
She’s only had 2 seizures in her life. Both when she was about 9 years old.The first time we call the ambulance and went to the ER.We were yelled at by her doctor stating that we should know how to take care of a seizure.
When it happened again a few weeks later, we took care of it and then call the doctors just to be safe.
It’s been a long road and she is doing fine.
References :
My 3 1/2 year old son was diagnosed type 1 on January 19th of this year. My 10 year old son is actually doing a science project on Type 1 diabetes right now using his little brother as his himan subject so to speak.
References :
First off I am sorry to hear about your cousin. I am a type 1 diabetic, i was diagnosed at age 29 which is strsnge. Of all diabetics 90 % are type 2 only 10 % are type 1 and of those 10 % about 95 % get it before their late teen years, I must just be lucky. I do feel lucky,
lucky it was me and NOT my kids (age 8 & 10 at that time)
lucky I was not a young child when I got it putting my parents through the hell and struggles of shots and all that.
Lucky that I live in a time where we have insulin, and good rapid insulin and test meters.
Lucky that there is only a 3 to 5% chance my kids can get it.
So hopefully my insight has helped you
References :