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Diagnosis: Diabetes
Children Get Diabetes Too
By Paul Hartwick
"In a nutshell, the guidelines encourage people to eat more fruits and vegetables; eat more whole grains; eat less fats, particularly saturated fat; eat less sugars and sweets; and drink alcohol in moderation," Warshaw says.
Untreated diabetes can lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, blindness, kidney problems, nerve and circulatory trouble, amputation and gum disease. But it doesn't mean diabetics canšt live so-called normal lives.
"Life is never as easy as it is for people without diabetes, but diabetes does not prevent people from doing anything," Hitchcock says. "Diabetes is a challenge, but it need not stop you from pursuing your dreams."
There are two types of diabetes, one that occurs in children and young adults and another that generally appears in people over the age of 45, often overweight, with a family history of diabetes. In addition, minorities, especially Hispanics, Native Americans and African-Americans, have a higher incidence of diabetes.
An increased and excessive thirst and frequent urination are key diabetes warning signs. Unexplained weight loss, blurred vision and persistent fatigue are others.
The cause of diabetes is a mystery. Experts believe genetics could play an important role. Regardless, there is no cure for diabetes.
"For several decades, scientists have thought that a cure would be found in 10 years," says Hitchcock. "We heard that in 1989, the year our daughter was diagnosed. Others heard it in 1979 and 1969. Type 1 diabetes, the kind kids get, has proven to be very complex and challenging. Insulin is not a cure, but science is closer to finding a cure today than it has ever been. While it's frustrating that there is no cure today, I remain optimistic that a cure will be found."