06/16/2009: Moultrie News

Our Mission

Abby's Friends is a non-profit organization with a mission to:

Educate the Public and raise awareness in the Community about Type I Diabetes.
Support Research initiatives in finding a Cure for Diabetes.
Enhance the Quality of Life for all Type I Diabetics by encouraging advances in Diabetes Research, Management, and Care.
Empower the Diabetic and the Family thru Educational Resources.

About Juvenile Diabetes

From JDRF.org

Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. It is sometimes called juvenile diabetes because it is usually discovered in children and teenagers, but adults may also have it. Type 1 diabetes strikes children suddenly, makes them dependent on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications.

Type I diabetes is one of the most common diseases of childhood. It is more common than cancer, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and muscular dystrophy. The incidence of Type I Diabetes in Children under the age of 5 years old has doubled over the past 5 years and we do not know why. Each year over 13,000 children are diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S., that's 35 children each and every day. It is estimated that over 3 million Americans may have type 1 diabetes.

What is Type I Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. While the causes of this process are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Your body changes most of the food you eat into a form of sugar (also called glucose). Insulin is a hormone that allows this sugar to enter all the cells of your body and be used as energy. A person who has type 1 diabetes can't make insulin because their pancreas no longer works properly. Without insulin, sugar builds up in the blood and can damage internal organs, the nervous system and blood vessels. Currently there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes.

What are the Symptoms?

Symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, and sometimes increased appetite. These symptoms usually develop over a few days to weeks. Occasionally, some people notice symptoms after an illness, such as the flu. They may think the diabetes symptoms are related to the flu and not seek medical care early.Sometimes, a person may develop symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) before seeking medical care. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening situation and is due to very high blood sugar levels. If blood sugar levels continue to rise, you may become confused, lethargic, or unconscious.

Symptoms include:

Flushed, hot, dry skin.
Loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
A strong, fruity breath odor (similar to nail polish remover or acetone).
Fast and shallow breathing.
Restlessness, drowsiness, difficulty waking up, confusion, or coma.

Treatments

Treatment for type 1 diabetes focuses on keeping blood sugar levels within a target range.

Treatment requires:

Taking daily and life-long insulin injections.
Eating a healthy diet that spreads carbohydrate throughout the day.
Monitoring blood sugar levels at home.
Getting regular exercise

People with type 1 diabetes can live long, healthy lives if they keep their blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. When a small child has diabetes, the parents assume the responsibility for blood sugar control; as the child grows, he or she can assume more responsibility for diabetes care.

Complications

People with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, high blood pressure, blindness, nerve damage and gum disease. These things happen 2 to 4 times more often in people with diabetes than in people without diabetes. When you have type 1 diabetes, blood may not move as well through your legs and feet. If left untreated, this condition can become very serious and lead to amputation (removal) of your feet. Untreated type 1 diabetes can cause a person to go into a coma. It can even kill you. The good news is that type I diabetes is a manageable disease and treatment can help prevent these associated complications.


	06/16/2009: Moultrie News Our Mission Abby's Friends is a non-profit organization with a mission to: Educate the Public and raise awareness in the Community about Type I Diabetes. Support Research initiatives in finding a Cure for Diabetes. Enhance the Quality of Life for all Type I Diabetics by encouraging advances in Diabetes Research, Management, and Care. Empower the Diabetic and the Family thru Educational Resources. About Juvenile Diabetes From JDRF.org Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. It is sometimes called juvenile diabetes because it is usually discovered in children and teenagers, but adults may also have it. Type 1 diabetes strikes children suddenly, makes them dependent on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Type I diabetes is one of the most common diseases of childhood. It is more common than cancer, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and muscular dystrophy. The incidence of Type I Diabetes in Children under the age of 5 years old has doubled over the past 5 years and we do not know why. Each year over 13,000 children are diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S., that's 35 children each and every day. It is estimated that over 3 million Americans may have type 1 diabetes. What is Type I Diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. While the causes of this process are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Your body changes most of the food you eat into a form of sugar (also called glucose). Insulin is a hormone that allows this sugar to enter all the cells of your body and be used as energy. A person who has type 1 diabetes can't make insulin because their pancreas no longer works properly. Without insulin, sugar builds up in the blood and can damage internal organs, the nervous system and blood vessels. Currently there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes. What are the Symptoms? Symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, and sometimes increased appetite. These symptoms usually develop over a few days to weeks. Occasionally, some people notice symptoms after an illness, such as the flu. They may think the diabetes symptoms are related to the flu and not seek medical care early.Sometimes, a person may develop symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) before seeking medical care. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening situation and is due to very high blood sugar levels. If blood sugar levels continue to rise, you may become confused, lethargic, or unconscious. Symptoms include: Flushed, hot, dry skin. Loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and vomiting. A strong, fruity breath odor (similar to nail polish remover or acetone). Fast and shallow breathing. Restlessness, drowsiness, difficulty waking up, confusion, or coma. Treatments Treatment for type 1 diabetes focuses on keeping blood sugar levels within a target range. Treatment requires: Taking daily and life-long insulin injections. Eating a healthy diet that spreads carbohydrate throughout the day. Monitoring blood sugar levels at home. Getting regular exercise People with type 1 diabetes can live long, healthy lives if they keep their blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. When a small child has diabetes, the parents assume the responsibility for blood sugar control; as the child grows, he or she can assume more responsibility for diabetes care. Complications People with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, high blood pressure, blindness, nerve damage and gum disease. These things happen 2 to 4 times more often in people with diabetes than in people without diabetes. When you have type 1 diabetes, blood may not move as well through your legs and feet. If left untreated, this condition can become very serious and lead to amputation (removal) of your feet. Untreated type 1 diabetes can cause a person to go into a coma. It can even kill you. The good news is that type I diabetes is a manageable disease and treatment can help prevent these associated complications.