Diabetes Day…
Available at: www.iheartguts.com
One year ago, my best friend’s daughter (let’s just call her my niece) was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent). She was 5. There is no history of diabetes in the family, and very little warning with the symptoms.
‘Annie’ has always been very active and VERY smart (not that I’m biased). In May of last year, she began drinking a lot of water, and continuously went to the bathroom almost hourly for several days in a row. One night, she wet the bed (which she hadn’t done in a long time) three times, and when her mom became concerned. They immediately rushed Annie to the emergency room, where they discovered her blood glucose level was over 700. A good level for a kid her age and size is under 300, and her levels were pretty close to her going into a coma. She is very lucky kid.
After several days in the hospital and a crash course in how to test blood glucose levels, calculate carbs, know the signs when her blood sugar is dropping, and completely revamp her diet, they went back to getting on with their lives. The family has made a lot of changes this past year, and have really pulled through for each other.
There are 4 types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes(developed during pregnancy), and late onset diabetes (comes on later in life- around 30).
According to the American Diabetes Association, Type 1 and Type two are the most common:
*Type 1 diabetes
Results from the body’s failure to produce insulin, the hormone that “unlocks” the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
*Type 2 diabetes
Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
Although Type 1 is more prevalent among kids, type 2 is more common among Americans in general. However, the number of Type II children is skyrocketing, and I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to be aware of how we are feeding our children! Eating and exercise habits start at a very young age. Especially if it runs in the family.
TCM has a lot of great points and herbs for diabetics. It’s always important to discuss options with an endocrinologist, but there are a lot of great complementary and alternative therapies that may help manage blood sugar a little better. Check this ITM article for more exploration of TCM and diabetes, and here for a research study.
My little niece has taught me so much about diabetes-more that I may ever learn in the classroom. She celebrated her “Diabetes Day” (the day she was diagnosed, last week. With cake, of course!
Here’s to the continuous search for a cure….
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Comments
[...] Diabetes Day: Amy wrote another good post, this one straight from the heart about an important issue. Note it. [...]
Thanks for your comment, Jay! I’m glad that acupuncture worked for you (at least a little!), and that you were able to cut down on medication- that’s always nice. Sometimes it takes a while to see results. I just think it’s great you tried it!
Annie is doing great- she certainly is a trooper!
-amy
Well, let me just say first and foremost that as ‘Annie’s’ mom I think she is rather splendid!
The actual normal bg for anyone of any age is 70-120. Anything over 120 and you are looking at making some changes!
I can not say enough times that it is unimaginable that people actually see Type 2 coming and do nothing. I would give anything for my daughter to not have this disease and the complications that go with it. Take care of the body you got here with… There are no returns, exchanges, or second chances.
We are 1500 shots and 2000 finger pricks into this thing they call “management.” The biggest thing we have learned is that “Annie” is indeed one tough cookie!
*Totally weird to call my kiddo by a different name by the way.
*And do post the other picture.. I am too inept.
Just stumbling through from Joel’s blog…
Lovely place you have here Amy!
I tried acupuncture for about 4 months (for migraines). To be honest, going into it I thought it was a bunch of hooey. But the suffering was unbearable and I was willing to try anything.
I was surprised at the efficacy of the treatments. Can’t say it cured my headaches, but the frequency was clearly reduced, and it allowed me to cut down significantly on the ridiculous amounts of medication I was taking.
Give my best to Annie, she sounds like a real trooper!