When people hear the term Diabetes, they generally think of one type of the medical condition. In reality, there are three types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is what is commonly talked about as juvenile-onset diabetes and is caused by a deficiency in the body to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is called adult-onset diabetes and is generally considered the most common type of diabetes. The third type is gestational diabetes which occurs during pregnancy when mothers get high blood glucose levels.
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are considered serious health concerns and need to be monitored and treated properly. Gestational diabetes needs to be monitored for the health of the mother and baby, and could result in the mother getting type 2 diabetes in the future. One of the most important aspects of diabetes management is early detection. Some of the symptoms to watch for include thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, tiredness, blurred vision, infections and many other. The onset of type 1 diabetes is generally very sudden, while type 2 diabetes can be a gradual process.
Diabetes if detected early and treated properly can result in a solid quality of life for the patient. Depending on the type of diabetes and the severity, the treatment can range from watching your diet or taking insulin pills for type 2 diabetes to daily insulin shots for type 1 diabetes. While managing your diet and taking insulin can help control the problems of diabetes, it is not a cure. Despite all the care and precautions that patients can do, complications can arise. As a result of being a diabetic patients run the risk of heart ailments, loss of eyesight, problems with feet and other serious complications. Therefore, it is imperative that the patient monitor their blood sugar levels and follow the recommendations of their doctors.
On a regular basis, diabetics need to be aware of what they are eating and the effect that it has on blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels in diabetics should be checked a couple of times a day, and if the levels are too high or low, their food intake should be adjusted. The monitoring and adjustment of the blood sugar levels can be challenging for patients and parents of younger children.
To help patients and parents learn more about diabetes, we have put together the following resources. We hope you find this helpful and will use this on a regular basis.
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
- Type 1 Diabetes Information – Web page from the American Diabetes Association which provides general information on type 1 diabetes.
- Type 1 Diabetes Facts – Informative page which lists several important facts about juvenile diabetes.
- What is Type 1 Diabetes? – Information and definition of type 1 diabetes and discussion of the problems associated with the condition.
Symptoms
- Diabetes Symptoms – Information on the various types of diabetes.
- Early Symptoms of Diabetes – Helpful page with information on the typical symptoms of diabetes.
- Type 1 Symptoms and Information – General web page which provides information on symptoms and other facets of type 1 diabetes.
- Diabetes Symptoms – Web page with information and other useful facts about juvenile diabetes.
Tests and Diagnosis
- Type 1 Diagnosis & Treatment in Children – Useful article and health guide with information about diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.
- Diagnosis Information – Informative medical information on the common diagnosis of diabetes.
- Diagnosing Type 1 Diabetes – Information for patients on how type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed.
Treatment and Care
- Treating Type 1 Diabetes – Useful page to help kids and teens learn more about treating juvenile diabetes.
- Insulin, Medicines, & Other Diabetes Treatments – Overview of the treatment of patients that have been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.
- Care of Children and Adolescents – Article which provides information on the care of children and young adults with type 1 diabetes.
Complications
- Types of Complications – Information for patients with diabetes which lists some of the common complications.
- Type 1 Diabetes Resources and Support – Helpful page from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation which provides a listing of typical complications.
- Complications Prevention Toolkit – Informative web page which provides diabetics with information on how they can live with the complications of diabetes.
- Can Covid-19 Cause Diabetes? – According to studies, the protein ACE-2 that binds SARS-Cov-2 and allows the virus to enter human cells is not just located in the lungs but is also present in organs and tissues that are involved in glucose metabolisms.
Living with Type 1 Diabetes
- Diabetic Living – Article which gives a look at the life of a person living with type 1 diabetes.
- Issues for Children and Teenagers – A child or teenager newly diagnosed with diabetes will have a range of reactions and emotions. Common reactions experienced by children and their parents include shock, denial, anger, sadness, fear and guilt. These feelings usually subside with time and appropriate support.
- Looking After a Child With Diabetes in School – Information on the challenges of children that are trying to live with diabetes.
- Living with Diabetes – Web page which provides information on the physical and emotional side of living with diabetes.
Other Resources for Parents and Patients
- Diabetes Resources for Parents and Kids – Information on organizations that can assist in learning about juvenile diabetes.
- Diabetes Glossary – Important terms to know related to the disease.
- Resources for Diabetics – Page with information on a variety of topics of interest to diabetics.
- Parent Information – Useful web site geared toward the parents of children with type 1 diabetes.
- Tools for Working With Young People With Diabetes – The learning needs of children and adolescents differ from those of adults. Therefore, nutrition education sessions must be developmentally appropriate.
- Type 1 Diabetes – Page with is an overview of type 1 diabetes with information for patients and parents.