Well, as my friend Patrick has pointed out in his comment to my last blog, the SGI does no more than the community at large. Fortunately, this is not an official SGI blog (there is no such thing anyway), so I can support my friends' cause by re-publishing these warning signs of type 1 diabetes (these may occur suddenly):
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
It is possible to live a long and happy life with well-managed diabetes. I know this because my mother was a diabetic for 45 years before her death at age 82. She was active, contributed to society, and was an all-around great gal.
Try to remember these warning signs and get your kid to a doctor if he or she shows any of these indicators. November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Misdiagnosis can have tragic consequences, as was the case with the lovely young girl in my SGI district.
For more information, go to:
http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=103498
Stay happy and healthy, all.
Byrd in LA
Posted by wahzoh at November 5, 2007 11:20 AMByrd,
thanks for those signs to look out for.
In today's times with children not being as active as my time, having symptoms to look out for is good regarding Children's diabetes.
My wife's family fight's diabetes and Tumors of the reproductive organs. karma!
Patrick
Posted by: Patrick at November 5, 2007 01:36 PMThank you, Byrd, for posting these warning signs!
Even though I had a medical background, I didn't recognize the signs when I started to have them:
A sudden and instantaneous loss of energy while exercising.
Extreme thirst stronger than any I'd ever experienced before.
And, fortunately, a pus-filled infection under a fingernail that prompted me to go to the urgent care.
They tested by urine, found sugar, then tested my blood sugar, which turned out to be 386. Over the past 12 years, my type II diabetes has been controlled with metformin, diet, and exercise. I have a syndrome, metabolic syndrome, related to another syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome. Metformin is the treatment of choice.
But, children and adults with type I diabetes must take insulin each and every day to stay alive. Type II diabetics still produce insulin, even though our cells are resistant to it.
If stem-cell research will lead to a cure for type I diabetes, I'm all for it.
Posted by: Michele at November 5, 2007 02:22 PMI've had type two diabetes for a couple of years. I'm also on metformin. I have to change a lot of bad habits which is hard for me. Everything I like to eat is bad for you and most of what's good to eat I'm allergic to. I did stop smoking cigarettes a week ago, supposedly that's the number one best thing you can do for your health. Hopefully more improvements to follow.
Posted by: clown hidden at November 5, 2007 02:43 PMCongrats on stopping smoking, clown! I did that almost three years ago, and I haven't looked back. Trying to keep on a good, clean diet myself, Byrd in LA
Posted by: Byrd in LA at November 5, 2007 03:26 PMThe symptoms listed are for type I insulin dependent diabetes.
More importantly with the epidemic of obesity in the US we are seeing type II diabetes in all age groups with a disturbing increase in the adolescent and child age group.
Kids with obesity and a dark rash on the back of the neck (Acanthosis Nigricans) need to be "worked up" for diabetes....
Diet and lifestyle are key to prevent obesity and type II diabetes. The end result for both type I and II diabetes are similar-- eye damage, increased heart attack and stroke as well as endstage kidney failure.
Best,
Your friendly neighborhood pediatrician.
Byrd:
Thks for this post. Diabetes is a terrible illness - one that has impelled me to keep my weight down and stay in top physical condition. You see, diabetes (or rather) the complications thereof, killed my maternal grandmother/grandfather, and my maternal uncle. It has developed in seven of my maternal cousins, all of my maternal aunts, and it strikes me as a ticking time bomb that could explode in me if I am not ever vigilant. One of my very best childhood friends developed it, didn't take care of it, and after he didin't shoow up for work after a few days, he was found dead in his apartment after falling into a diabetic coma. Let me alsodd that diabetes killed my former father-in-law.
Here's my own non-secret to having good blood sugar. Lose weight, keep in off, exercise, and eat smart.
Charles
Posted by: Charles at November 6, 2007 08:00 AM