people with type 1 diabetes..? help?

Question

this is for people with diabetes mellitus or experts in this area.

i'm in 7th grade and doing the 'human disease project'. my disease is diabetes mellitus or type one diabetes.
please tell me about how this disease affects your life nd such.
thanks a billion.
<3

Answer 1

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Basically this means the pancreas does not make insulin, a hormone which helps use blood sugar (glucose) for energy.
The cells become starved of energy and there is an excess of glucose in the blood. People with Type 1 diabetes must have daily injections of insulin to live. Proper diet, exercise and home blood sugar monitoring are essential to manage the disease.

There is no cure for it other than a pancreas transplant which is rarely done.
The basic signs are Frequent urination ,Extreme thirst ,Extreme hunger ,Weigh loss ,Fatigue ,Irritability ,Blurred vision
When my brother was diagnosed with diabetes he drank an entire bottle of concentrated cordial in one day because his body craved the sugar which put his blood sugar levels up to 27 (coma stage) our bodies are generally around the 5 margin.
hope this helps...

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

I have type 2 diabetes, but some of the same things hold true. Now, you can correct me if I'm wrong, but I always thought that diabetes mellitus was type 2 (but admittedly I'm no doctor). People with both kinds of diabetes have to be careful of what they eat. People who are recently diagnosed can benefit from visits with a nutritionist or dietician. Diabetes is not a death sentence and people can live quite normal lives. They may have to monitor their sugar levels (Type 1 diabetics must do this, and many Type 2 diabetics have to as well - I do). This can take some education, but the machines are getting smaller and easier to use. Mine fits easily into my purse. I usually carry emergency snacks with me, so that I keep my blood sugar fairly constant if I can't get away to eat. People with either type of diabetes should watch their stress level and go for regular doctor checkups. They should make sure to take good care of their feet and hands and attend to any cuts because diabetics usually have worse circulation. If you go on google both the American and Canadian Diabetes Associations have great websites. Good luck!

Answer 5

It's IDDM (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) and is also called, as you said, type 1. Diabetes mellitus is a broad term for the disease but doesn't differentiate between the two types. There isn't enough room to tell you what you want to know. If you'd care to e-mail me (not through Yahoo), I can create and send you back a document that tells you everything. I'm at [e-mail].

Answer 6

From a young daughter's point of view, watching a family member with diabetes get up every morning to check their blood pressure and glucose can be very sorrowful. This person constantly needs to be under medication and needs to be very careful with what he/she eats. Diabetes is a harmful disease which can cause stroke, seizures and heart failures. A member to have this kind of disease can also be very hard for the other members in the family to have to watch and take care of this person. Diabetics need care and security most of the time. As for type 1 diabetes, the only cure for it is a pancreas transplant which can be a very difficult procedure. Why one would need a pancreas transplant is because a person with type 1 diabetes most likely isnt getting enough insulin which allows sugar, also known as glucose, enter it's body's cells. Without cells, one wouldn't have energy. Eventually, glucose can damage your nerves and blood vessels and when it becomes high to an extent, a diabetics body, can go through a chemical imbalance called "diabetic ketoacidosis", which may be life threatening.

Hope I've given you useful information! <3

Answer 7

I was diagnosed with Type 1 at a very late age of 45. My dad was also a Type 1. He didn't take care of himself and died when I was 16. It is easier today to take care of yourself. There is alot more information on diabetes and better technology. I only had to do shots for a month before I went on an insulin pump. I just upgraded to a pump and sensor that pumps insulin in 24 hours a day and the sensor measures my blood glucose every 5 minutes. All I have to do is look at my pump and know where my blood sugar is and whether it is steady, going up or down and how fast it is moving. It allows me alot of freedom. When I eat I can just tell my pump my carb numbers and it gives me a suggestion how much insulin to bolus in. I am in school and this is great because I no longer have to worry if I am going low during an exam or in the clinical situations.

I still have my ups and downs though. I can sky rocket it seems for no reason and plummet for no reason. I have to watch when I do manual labor of any sort, my blood sugars drop quickly. I wake up around 2am alot with lows. My pump is great, but I still have to work at keeping level and I still have to watch what I eat.

Sometimes I get angry and just want to live life without thinking about food. I get tired of people asking me if I can eat something I put on my plate like I am a child. People have a tendency to always ask me how am I doing and that is annoying.

When I leave the house I always have to carry food and supplies for my pump. When I travel I have to plan to have all the supplies I need and have food available.

I am very thankful though for living in this day and age when technology is so great. At least I don't have to stick my self with a needle 3 times a day, just change my pump sites every 3 days. I have a very supportive husband who does not nag me.

So all in all if I had to have a disease I guess this one isn't as bad as others.

Good luck on your project and hope this helps.

Answer 8

Doctors Reverse Diabetes Without Drugs : http://DiabNoMore.com

Answer 9

I have been a diabetic for over 33 years now. It was a gift from my mother. Testing supplies were always in my house and one day I tested (you used to test your urine with a test strip) well, it turned a bright green which was very bad. I did not tell anyone for 1 year. I felt terrible, but I was only 12. I have been on insulin since. This is not the worse disease to have. If you eat right, exercise and keep your blood sugar levels in good control you will live a healthy life. Yes, it is a pain to be testing you blood 4-5 times a day... schedule meals.... be prepared for drops in you sugar, but it is just something you have to learn and deal with.
Everyone has their issues.. mine is sugar free! It is alot easier now with tons of sugar free items.... 30+ years ago there was only "tab" a s/f drink. My mom who is 84 now used to drink soda water... they had NOTHING sugar free.... so things are not as bad.... Hopefully there will be a cure soon..... Be sure to research "stem cell" and you can go on the ADA web site... you should get some facts on diabetic life there.... Keep us posted on what your grade was.... Thanks for taking interest!!!

Answer 10

well I picked up type one a bit late was 28 when i got it

was a huge adjustment after being able to eat and do what i wanted for 28 years.

The shots I got used to i hated and still hate needles even though they are fine... they can stillhurt like hell if you hit the wrong spot

hardest part was adapting to a diet.. I stillhave probelms with it today, I just love bread stuffs too much

snacking is tough also budget wise you can get a big bag of chips for a buck or two .. but a bag of beef jerky is almost 5.

Even thogh i keep it under pretty good control.. i stillhave my "good and bad days" when i don't even want tog et out of bed or can;t accomplish much

its a big mental adjustment.. went from the Marines where you feel as if you can do anything.. to having and having to learn some limits. I'll be happy to answer any more specific questions you may have feel free to email me