Amy and Alan Andrews have a young daughter with Type 1 diabetes.

Just watched a trailer on a movie/documentary of a teen with TYPE 1 diabetes.  It's so true that although there appears to be nothing wrong with people with type one --- they are fighting a battle everyday inside their bodies.  It's an invisible, possibly fatal disease and it's vital that I advocate everyday for my daughter.  It saddens/angers me that there's not more publicity/advocacy out there and people are dying everyday because it goes undiagnosed. 

It's something my husband and I never stop thinking about because we are keeping her alive hour to hour.  She's a fighter and I sit up at night and wonder what's going on inside her body.  Are her organs okay -- as with a virus her blood sugar can shoot up and have nothing to go with what she eats and this can reak havoc on her body.  I also worry about my other children constantly as they have to endure watching their sister go through this day in and day out ( although she deals with it like a champ and manages a lot of it including changing her site at age 7).  I must make certain they all know how much I love them and how hard I'm trying to show them everyday it's difficult balancing trying to make sure sydney gets enough non-diabetes attention and my other children get enough too -- I hope it's enough.

Please let me know if you would like to help me in my efforts to spread the word about TYPE ONE DIABETES.  There will be a WALK coming up in April of 2013.  I hope you will join us this year!  Sydney was diagnosed at 19 months old.  Constant diaper changes prompted a doctors visit and upon my persistence that she wasn't potty training, they sent us to urgent care to "ease my mind".  The next day we were scheduled to be leave out of town for a week to California without the kids.  Instead and thank the Lord we were in pediatrics for four days taking care of our baby.  God is good.

The symptoms are:

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop quickly, over a few days to weeks, and are caused by blood sugar levels rising above the normal range (hyperglycemia).  Early symptoms may be overlooked, especially if the person has recently had an illness, such as influenza (flu).  Early symptoms include:

Frequent urination, which may be more noticeable at night. Some young children who have learned to use the toilet may start wetting the bed during naps or at night.

Extreme thirst and a dry mouth.

Weight loss.

Increased hunger (possibly).

Sometimes the blood sugar level rises excessively before a person knows something is wrong.  Because insulin is not available, the cells in the body are unable to get the sugar (glucose) they need for energy.  The body begins to break down fat and muscle for energy.  When fat is used for energy, ketones-or fatty acids-are produced and enter the bloodstream, causing the chemical imbalance diabetic ketoacidosis.  This is a life-threatening condition.

Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis are:

Flushed, hot, dry skin.

Loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and vomiting.

A strong, fruity breath odor.

Rapid, deep breathing.

Restlessness, drowsiness, difficulty waking up, confusion, or coma.

Young children may lack interest in their normal activities.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age.  However, it is most often diagnosed in children, adolescents, or young adults.

Insulin is a hormone produced by special cells, called beta cells, in the pancreas.  The pancreas is found behind your stomach.  Insulin is needed to move blood sugar (glucose) into cells, where it is stored and later used for energy.  In type 1 diabetes, beta cells produce little or no insulin.

Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of going into the cells.  The body is unable to use this glucose for energy.  This leads to the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown.  Most likely it is an autoimmune disorder.  An infection or some other trigger causes the body to mistakenly attack the cells in the pancreas that make insulin.  This kind of disorder can be passed down through families.
 
Thank you for your time and your help to find a Cure and bring awareness to Type One Diabetes.  Let me know how you would like to help.  I'm going to be printing info to mail out/hand deliver.  Let me know if you would like to volunteer your time.  You can contact me at aea612@yahoo.com.

FIND A CURE FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES

Thank you,

Amy Andrews

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