About Type 1 Diabetes and the Warning Signs
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels. There is nothing anyone can do to prevent T1D. Presently, there is no known cure.
TYPE 1 DIABETES (T1D) IS AN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE THAT OCCURS WHEN A PERSON’S PANCREAS STOPS PRODUCING INSULIN, THE HORMONE THAT CONTROLS BLOOD-SUGAR LEVELS.
There is nothing anyone can do to prevent T1D. Presently, there is no known cure.
Type 1 diabetes affects children and adults, though people can be diagnosed at any age. With a typically quick onset, T1D must be managed with the use of insulin.
Type 1 diabetes is a 24/7 disease that requires constant management. People with T1D continuously and carefully balance insulin intake with eating, exercise and other activities. They also measure blood-sugar levels through finger pricks before each meal and at bedtime.
Only 5% of people with diabetes have Type 1 Diabetes.
Some 1.25 million Americans are living with T1D, including about 200,000 youth (less than 20 years old) and more than 1 million adults (20 years old and older).
40,000 people are diagnosed with T1D each year in the U.S.
While limiting sugar intake can be a part of a healthy diet, people with T1D can work sugars and sweets into their diets just like a person without T1D. Sometimes sugar is necessary. If a person’s blood-sugar level drops too much, sugar, often in the form of juice or glucose tables, is required to raise it and correct hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
TYPE 1 DIABETES WARNING SIGNS
Amelia had all of the symptoms listed below. If you suspect you or your child has diabetes, see your doctor immediately. Uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a life threatening condition that can lead to coma and death. Luckily we caught Amelia's T1D early and avoided this scary situation.
Increased thirst
Frequent urination
Bed-wetting in children who previously didn't wet the bed during the night
Extreme hunger
Unintended weight loss
Irritability and other mood changes
Fatigue and weakness
Blurred vision
Follow along with our Type 1 Diabetes Journey
Type 1 Diabetes Signs & Symptoms
Update time! Amelia had a great day today! When Dr. Duncan came in at 7:30 this morning he said she was healthy enough to go home… HOWEVER, he said we had to stay a bit longer so we could 100% familiarize ourselves with all of our new responsibilities. We’re getting there! It’s a lot! 😅
Update time! Amelia had a great day today! When Dr. Duncan came in at 7:30 this morning he said she was healthy enough to go home… HOWEVER, he said we had to stay a bit longer so we could 100% familiarize ourselves with all of our new responsibilities. We’re getting there! It’s a lot! 😅
I’ve gotten quite a few messages asking how we knew something was up with her so I’ll go ahead and share. Amelia has never had a single health issue. We rarely go to the doctor except for well visits. About a week ago she started asking for lots to drink. On Friday night I saw her get into the fridge and come back with apple juice like three times and told her to slow down and have some water. On Saturday night we went to a friend’s house and she had a great time playing… that night she came into our room and asked if she could take a shower because she thought she was sweating a lot. Turns out she had an accident (which she hasn’t had since she was 2) and it was like, the entire bed. I thought it was weird but was like well maybe she was hitting the capri suns hard at our friend’s house and I didn’t notice. The next night came and another accident happened… so I started googling. Usually this is bad for me to do, hello hypochondria lol, but I saw some of the symptoms and thought hmm she kinda has some of those. When the 3rd night came and she was up once an hour to go to the bathroom and came out begging for water, I decided to take her to the doctor first thing.
Other symptoms are hunger, fatigue and weight loss. She would get off the bus every day saying, "I’m sooo tired," and then come in the house and say, "I’m sooo hungry.” I didn’t think much of those comments because that’s just kids right? I did notice last week that I thought she looked slimmer but another thing I also considered “normal” since she could have had a growth spurt or could have seen effects from the healthy lunches I’ve been packing for her all this year. When Dr. Google included these symptoms as well I knew something was up. 🤔
Steve really wanted to stay the night with her and as much as I hated leaving there tonight, I was glad that Steve would be able to spend special time with her and keep learning the ropes with her. Juliet is fast asleep at home and will go to school again tomorrow. She misses her sister but knows she is at the doctor to get all better!
We should be heading home tomorrow sometime, yay, and if all goes well she will go to school on Friday. Doc said he wants her to resume her normal routine as soon as she can!
Thanks again for all of the messages and prayers, we have been feeling the love!!! And thanks to special visitors today Christa & Samantha as well as Leanne and Emme! You ladies truly brightened Amelia’s day! <3
Today is a day we celebrate. We recognize what Amelia has gone through and how she has handled it like an absolute CHAMPION. 🏆 Can we just give Amelia some props for dealing with diabetes for 730 days?!