Living With Diabetes
Warning Signs of Diabetes
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes Causes
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
Is there a cure for type 1 diabetes?
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
Educate teachers, school personnel and other child care providers about taking care of your child with type 1 diabetes. Download this helpful guide now.
Warning Signs of Diabetes
Do you think you or your child may have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes? Knowing the early warning signs and symptoms of diabetes is important to avoid diabetes complications. Without immediate attention, diabetes can be life-threatening. Check out the list below – then see your doctor or healthcare professional to get the diabetes treatment you need.
What are the Warning Signs of Type 1 Diabetes?
The onset of type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes, happens very quickly. The following symptoms may appear suddenly and are too severe to overlook:
•Increased thirst
•Increased urination (bed-wetting may occur in children who have already been toilet trained)
•Rapid and unexplained weight loss
•Extreme hunger
•Extreme weakness or fatigue
•Unusual irritability
•Blurred vision
•Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
•Unpleasant breath odor
•Itchy skin
Type 1 Diabetes Treatment
Type 1 diabetes is treated by taking insulin injections or using an insulin pump or other device. This outside source of insulin now serves as the “key” — bringing glucose to the body’s cells. The challenge with taking insulin is that it’s tough to know precisely how much insulin to take. The amount is based on many factors, including:
• Food
• Exercise
• Stress
• Emotions and general health
These factors change a lot throughout every day. So, deciding on what dose of insulin to take is a complicated balancing act. If you take too much insulin, then your blood sugar can drop to a dangerously low level. This is a called hypoglycemia and it can be life-threatening.
If you take too little insulin, your blood sugar can rise to a dangerously high level. Your cells are not getting the sugar, or energy, they need. This is called hyperglycemia. As mentioned above, high blood sugar levels can lead to the long-term complications and can also be life-threatening.
Today, a wide range of computerized diabetes devices are available to help people better manager their blood sugar levels while research toward a cure for diabetes moves forward.
What are the Warning Signs of Type 2 Diabetes?
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are similar to those of type 1 diabetes. But the onset of type 2 diabetes is usually slower and the symptoms are not as noticeable as those for type 1 diabetes. For these reasons, many people mistakenly overlook the warning signs. They also might think that the symptoms are the signs of other conditions, like aging, overworking or hot weather.
Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
Treatment for type 2 diabetes focuses on improving ways to better use the insulin the body already produces to normalize blood sugar levels. Treatment programs for type 2 diabetes focus on diet, exercise and weight loss. If blood sugar levels are still high, medications are used to help the body use its own insulin more efficiently. In some cases, insulin injections are necessary.
DIABETES BROCHURES FOR YOU!
Here are some brochures you can download right now to learn more about what is diabetes?, diabetes treatment, warning signs of diabetes, and to get helpful info for your child with type 1 diabetes. You can also sign-up below to get news and tips about diabetes emailed to you.
Get more answers to your questions about type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes symptoms and treatments. (In Spanish: ¿Que es La Diabetes?).
Educate teachers, school personnel and other child care providers about taking care of your child with type 1 diabetes.
DRIfocus: online — DRI and Foundation announcements, diabetes research news, diabetes management, psycho-social issues, fundraising events, special promotions and more.
Under the Microscope — diabetes research news, scientist profiles, published findings in peer-reviewed journals and other happenings around the Diabetes Research Institute.
PEP Talk — from the DRI Foundation’s PEP Squad (Parents Empowering Parents) covering information you can use today, such as family issues, daily challenges of diabetes, tips, opportunities to connect and more.
DRIFinancial Focus: online — estate planning tips to secure your own financial future as well as the DRI’s.