November

we have found ourselves in the midst of Diabetes Awareness Month yet again. I am hopeful that this month will get me in the swing of updating this blog as much as it deserves and welcome you to help keep me accountable. I invited people on my facebook to ask both CJ and I questions about diabetes and the lifestyle it involves. Feel free to add questions in the comments below

How did you find out CJ has diabetes?

At 11 months old CJ was a bit of a needy baby. She nursed constantly and seemed to battle yeast issues, both thrush and diaper area, on and off. We were in the midst of a pretty bad battle and what I presumed to be teething when my Mommy instincts went into alert mode. I knew something was off but feared I was overreacting, I called the pediatrician and he recommended a few homeopathic remedies for the teething and yeast. With no improvement in the next day I tried Tylenol which she promptly vomited up. She vomited a few more times that day and by the next morning she was incredibly lethargic. The baby that nursed no less frequently then every 3 hours her entire life couldn't be woken. I called the pediatrician, and despite having no fever he agreed that my instincts were trying to tell me something and sent us to the ER. At that point we both assumed we were dealing with a virus or infection and would be sent home after a round of antibiotics and fluids. We couldn't have been more wrong, here is the story of what happened once we got to the hospital.

what is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?

I am the first to admit that my knowledge of Type 2 is limited but from my understanding it is when either age, obesity, or other medical conditions leave a person's cells with a resistance to absorbing insulin. With proper diet and exercise most will be able to control this disease, occasionally there is a need for artificial insulin.

Type 1 Diabetes on the other hand is an autoimmune disease where something triggers the body's immune system into attacking the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. As a result the person requires artificial insulin to replace the insulin no longer created by the pancreas. Insulin is what helps a body transform sugar/carbohydrates into fuel/energy for your cells. Without insulin you can no survive. Other then the ability to create insulin a Type 1 Diabetic is exactly the same as a non-diabetic. As you can see, while they share the same name the two diseases couldn't be more different.


Is there anything you can do to prevent Type 1 diabetes?

There are studies that show an increased risk for developing Type 1 Diabetes in children that are fed formula, children that are fed solids prior to 6 months of age when they still have an "open gut", and with the use of certain vaccines. These are all highly debated topics in the Diabetes world. Research has shown that in most cases it is a virus that activates the already present antibodies that in turn attack that insulin producing cells of the pancreas. There is currently a blood test offered to those related to/at risk of developing T1D that tests for the presence of some of those antibodies. Those tests do not however offer a timeline of when those antibodies will be activated if at all. That said, CJ was breastfed until 14 months, received no vaccines, and was not given solids prior to 6 months of age. With her age and lack of a family history the likelihood of her developing T1D was comparable to being struck by lightning and yet here we are.

how does she feel when she is symptomatic (not sure of the terminology- when her blood sugar counts are off?) and how does she let you know?

these are the symptoms of low blood sugar according to webmd

Mild hypoglycemia

Symptoms of mild low blood sugar usually occur when blood sugar falls below 70 mg/dL and may include:

Nausea.
Extreme hunger.
Feeling nervous or jittery.
Cold, clammy, wet skin and/or excessive sweating not caused by exercise.
A rapid heartbeat (tachycardia).
Numbness or tingling of the fingertips or lips.
Trembling.

Moderate hypoglycemia

If blood sugar continues to fall, the nervous system will be affected. Symptoms usually occur when the blood sugar falls below 55 mg/dL and may include:

Mood changes, such as irritability, anxiety, restlessness, or anger.
Confusion, difficulty in thinking, or inability to concentrate.
Blurred vision, dizziness, or headache.
Weakness, lack of energy.
Poor coordination.
Difficulty walking or talking, such as staggering or slurred speech.
Fatigue, lethargy, or drowsiness.

Severe hypoglycemia

The symptoms of severe low blood sugar develop when blood sugar falls below 35 mg/dL to 40 mg/dL and may include:

Seizures or convulsions.
Loss of consciousness, coma.
Low body temperature (hypothermia).

Prolonged severe hypoglycemia can cause irreversible brain damage and heart problems, especially in people who already have coronary artery disease. If emergency medical treatment is not provided, severe hypoglycemia can be fatal.

since CJ is so young she has a difficult time communicating her lows, and of course being 2 and realizing that she gets juice/milk/"low medicine"-glucose tabs, she is known to tell you she is low when she simply wants one of the above mentioned things. Often I will be able to tell a low when she trembles, or when she seems to be overreacting or crying over something that normally wouldn't effect her. Also, if she naps longer then usual she is often low so that extra time can rarely be taken advantage of.

High blood glucose ...

Increased thirst
Headaches
Difficulty concentrating
Blurred vision
Frequent urination
Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
Weight loss

CJ usually tips us off with thirst and dark circles under her eyes

How do you distinguish between misbehavior and lows?

This is currently a hot topic in our home. We try to abide by the rule "Use soft words even when you don't feel well" but this is proving more difficult then it looks. Usually at the first sign of misbehavior, and when Mommy instinct kicks in, a blood sugar check is called in to play. If she is low we do tend to offer a bit more understanding for and following/immediately prior behavior with the explanation that "you may not feel good right now but its not ok to do xyz"

Ava: What do you eat when you feel sick?

CJ: "low medicine" CJ's first choice is smarties/glucose tabs while mommy and daddy tend to reach for milk and if the low is low enough, juice or glucose gel.

Ava: Does checking your blood hurt?

CJ: "yeaaa"

Ava: What kind of bandaids do you get? (ie. Dora, etc.)

CJ: