1. DIABETES DIRECT: TYPE 1 Rebekah O’Bryan

2. WHAT IS TYPE 1 DIABETES? Type 1 diabetes is a disease usually diagnosed in childhood that affects an individual for their lifetime. Diabetes occurs in response to an infectious attack on the pancreas. The attack causes beta cells to malfunction within the pancreas resulting in limited or nonexistent insulin production which has a severe negative impact on the body.

3. DO I HAVE DIABETES? In order to be a classified as a diabetic, a person must undergo medical testing. Typically one of the first labs involves glucose tolerance testing because it basically notes an endocrine problem; however, it cannot distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes because they are so closely related. After glucose tolerance testing reveals a problem, an individual will complete labs for insulin testing which better reveals whether a person has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

4. TYPICAL DAY OF A DIABETIC Diabetics can do everything a healthy person can do. However, they do have to check their blood glucose levels whenever they experience symptoms of high and low blood sugar and before meals and bedtime-even throughout the night. Diabetics treat their sugar levels via daily insulin after checking their blood glucose. A 14 year old girl who has experienced Type 1 diabetes for 7 years explained, “I play basketball and volleyball. I eat what I want to in proper portions. I hang out with friends. I do eat sugar and candy-who wouldn’t when it’s Halloween!” Diabetics must give themselves insulin whenever they have high blood sugar levels, and eat glucose tablets or sugary foods when they have low blood sugar. They can eat whatever they want in moderation that correlates to their current blood glucose levels.

5. DAILY ROUTINE o The routine of a Type 1 Diabetic is the same as any other person, consisting of eating, sleeping, exercising, etc. The additional task of checking blood glucose levels before meals, taking insulin after meals, and checking blood glucose levels before bed as well as during sleep is also a necessity of proper monitoring. o Type 1 Diabetics also take insulin for high blood glucose levels, observe breaks from normal routines to raise low blood glucose levels, and monitor blood glucose to figure out how to adjust treatment in their daily routine.

6. EATING WITH DIABETES Does diabetes mean a person can never eat sugar again? No! People with diabetes have the best success when they monitor the amount of sugar and carbohydrates they eat. Carbohydrates like bread, potatoes and other items change to sugars as they are digested in the human body. Limiting these foods is helpful; however, they don’t have to be eliminated. Diabetics can choose low-sugar, low-carb, and low-fat options to increase their success with the disease. These recommendations for healthy diet are the same for all humans! Fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and reduced sugars are just part of a normal, healthy diet.

7. CAN I EXERCISE WITH DIABETES? Diabetics lead normal, active lifestyles. They have to pay attention to things like temperature, length of practices and other factors. All these things, “Environment, intensity, and duration are all factors that can affect blood sugar in athletes with diabetes,” said Robert Powell, CDE, a certified clinical exercise specialist and certified diabetes educator at the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute. Diabetics are encouraged to exercise to lower their blood sugar. There are many professional athletes with Type 1 diabetes including: Gary Hall, Jr-Gold medal Olympic swimmer Nick Boynton – National Hockey League player Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears, NFL (Everyday Health, nd.)

8. WILL DIABETES HOLD ME BACK? People with diabetes can do whatever they want. Go for a run, go out for ice cream with the team, have sleepovers- everything people without diabetes do. However, diabetics must eat foods in proportions that are appropriate for their most recent blood glucose level. If they are experiencing high blood glucose they shouldn’t eat a huge bowl of ice cream or a pack of gummy worms. If they are in the midst of a blood glucose drop it may be a good idea to indulge in a sugary snack.

9. MODIFYING YOUR LIFESTYLE Upon diagnosis, Type 1 Diabetics must learn to count the amount of carbohydrates they consume in order to administer the right amount of insulin. They also have to learn how to plan how many carbohydrates and how much insulin to administer before activity and during sickness. They have to learn how to check their blood glucose by themselves and how to treat low and high blood glucose when needed.

10. BLOOD SUGAR MONITORING When you realize that blood sugar levels are too high over several days, you just up the insulin you give yourself which brings down your blood sugar. When you realize that the blood sugar levels are too low over an amount of time you lower the amount of administered insulin. Kenny Rideout, a diabetic since age 3, recently decided to advertise his status with a new tattoo. Kenny stated, “I just realized my mom wouldn’t always be around and people needed to know in case I need their help.” Kenny Rideout’s new tattoo alerting people to his diabetic status.

11. MORE ON MONITORING & LIFESTYLE With diabetes comes lots of close monitoring several times a day. Diabetics watch what they eat because consuming too much sugar creates blood glucose levels which can increase headaches, tummy aches, grumpiness, and drowsiness. If blood glucose levels drop too low this can result in headaches, weakness, shakiness, and hunger. Low blood glucose is important to watch while dieting and exercising because your levels are more sporadic and can drop with exercise. Sydney Speed, a teenager with diabetes explained, “You must eat healthy and low-carb foods like fruits and vegetables. You can splurge on ice cream and other sweets only whenever your blood glucose is in or near it’s normal range, but even this requires monitoring and possible treatment with insulin.”

12. WATCH SYDNEY TEST HER BLOOD SUGAR!

13. COPING WITH DIABETES & HOPING FOR A CURE Thankfully, with the medical technologies that have emerged in recent years there are easier means of controlling blood glucose and insulin release. There are insulin pumps which administer insulin when it is needed without shots after every meal. The pumps can alert you when you get out of normal blood glucose range to make treatment quick and painless. Researchers have also developed numbing crème so diabetics don’t have to experience painful shots or pump insertions. “Because I was diagnosed with diabetes at 3 years old,” Kenny Rideout said, “I really don’t remember my life without diabetes. I just always take my insulin. It’s not a big deal really.“ “I have had to learn not to hound him so much now that he’s 17 years old,” said Christie Rideout. “When he was young I fixed his food, counted his carbs, gave him his injections…I did it all. Now he does it and it’s hard to not know if he’s on top of it but our recent visit to his endocrinologist at Vanderbilt showed his A1C level was dropping which is awesome.“

14. MEDICAL ADVANCES Kyle Brown was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes while in college. Because Kyle was older at his diagnosis, his life changed pretty dramatically. He had to learn to check his sugar, give himself insulin, and monitor his condition. “My blood sugar levels are more consistent now that I have my insulin pump,” Kyle stated. “Before diabetes was always on my mind and I had to carry around quite a few supplies. With the pump, I can prepare in the morning and my day is much more normal.”

15. WATCH SYDNEY EXPLAIN HER INSULIN PUMP!

16. HEALTH RISKS  Blindness  Diabetic Coma  Confusion  Death  Amputation  Blurred Vision  Short-Term Memory Loss  Dizziness  Anger  Headaches  Hunger  Shakiness  Nausea  Weakness  Fatigue  Unconsciousness  Sweating With proper daily monitoring, regular doctor visits, and a health and fitness routine, most diabetics will live a long and healthy life with few complications. Diabetics who do not monitor their disease properly are at risk for a variety of illnesses including those listed below.

17. DOCUMENTATION American Diabetes Association. (nd). Making healthy food choices. [accessed 1 November 2014]. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i- eat/making-healthy-food-choices/?loc=ff-slabnav Brown, K. (2 November 2014). Diabetic. Personal Communication. Everyday Health. (nd). Athletes living with diabetes. [accessed 1 November 2014]. Retrieved from http://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes-pictures/athletes-living- with-diabetes.aspx#10 Rideout, L.C. (1 November 2014). Parent of Diabetic. Personal Communication. Rideout, K.R., (1 November 2014). Diabetic. Personal Communication. Speed, S.L., (2 November 2014). Diabetic. Personal Communication.