Diabetic Seniors

Type 1, Type 2, adult onset diabetes, juvenile diabetes—what is it all about? For the non-diabetic these words are confusing and often misunderstood. However, if you have been a diabetic for any length of time, then you know the differences. Below is a chart to clear things up:

Juvenile diabetes (known as Type 1 since 1997) is defined by the ADA as “an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas.”  Or, juvenile diabetes is when the body ambushes its own insulin supply. To “counterattack”, you must take insulin, eat healthy, exercise and perform frequent blood glucose (BG) testing.

Upon being diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, you will need to make some lifestyle changes. While the most renowned changes are diet and exercise, for many people, the most frightening change is the insulin injection and frequent glucose testing. Since Juvenile diabetes is quite often discovered in one’s early years, insulin injections and finger pricks for glucose testing can be more than a little disconcerting. Moreover, if the diabetic is a minor, the parent can’t help but think about the cost of the juvenile diabetes testing supplies.

Since juvenile diabetes glucose testing should be done a minimum of 3 times a day, be sure you know how much/many of your test strips are covered by your insurance provider. Keep in mind that the testing strips are where the diabetic’s testing supply companies profit, which is why you can frequently get the testing meter for little or no cost.

Glucose testing in juvenile diabetes is a crucial part of controlling your disease (especially in young children). If your insulin is too low, then your BG level will be too high. This can result in the development of DKA or Diabetic Ketoacidosis, which can lead to coma, shock, pneumonia, difficulty breathing and even death. DKA in children can also cause swelling of the brain.It is vital to maintain your juvenile diabetes blood glucose and insulin levels when you are under a great deal of stress or are sick as this may signal your hormones to cause your liver to release stored glucose. Unfortunately, these same hormones impede insulin’s impact on your body.

After being diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, you can ask your doctor to help you design your diabetes control kit. These diabetes supplies may range from simple to high tech. Just remember, having the right tools is only part of the “job”, knowing how and when to use them is equally essential.

Tags: juvenile diabetes, juvenile diabetes glucose testing, juvenile diabetes testing supplies, Juvenile diabetes Testing Supply