DIABetES

Diabetes means too much sugar (glucose) in the blood. Sugar comes from the foods we eat, like
bread, cereals, pasta, rice, fruit, starchy vegetables and dairy items. Sugar is used by the body for
energy— to run, skip, play and swim. Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas and works
like a key to a door – insulin opens the door of the cells of our body allowing the sugar to go from
the bloodstream into the cells where it is then used for energy. If there is not enough insulin or if
the insulin can’t open the door to the cell, the sugar levels rise in the blood and diabetes occurs.
And guess what? Even animals can get diabetes!

Children diagnosed with diabetes usually have Type 1 diabetes. You do not get diabetes from
eating too much sugar and you do not ‘catch’ it from sitting next to someone with diabetes.
In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is unable to make enough insulin. The cause of type 1 diabetes
is believed to be:
 Genetics– The genes that come from your parents
 Self-allergy-When the body attacks a part of itself
 The environment in which we live– Coming into contact with a virus or chemical

Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adults, however recently, more children are being diagnosed
with Type 2 diabetes. In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still makes insulin but the
insulin doesn’t work very well – like having the wrong key for the door. While our genes and
our culture can play an important role, it is also linked with being overweight and not getting
enough exercise

The good news about diabetes is that it can be treated. Appropriate treatment is important
in order to avoid problems to the eyes, brain, heart, kidneys, feet and nerves. Having
a healthy eating plan and doing regular exercise are keys to staying well with diabetes.
In Type 1 diabetes, insulin injections are needed to control the blood sugar levels. In
Type 2 diabetes, it may be tablets and / or insulin injections that may be required. In
both types of diabetes, daily blood sugar checks using a meter helps children to know
whether the treatment plan is working or needs adjusting. Diabetes requires a team
approach to keep healthy – the child and his / her family working together with their
doctor, diabetes educator and dietitian. Education is vital. Diabetes needs close attention
but it is manageable.