Page 1 of 2

Zach Campbell Intro to Special Education Professor Lara A.A.C.C Spring semester

DIABETES
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is usually a lifelong disease where the body has an inability to produce enough insulin to control the sugar in the blood stream. There are also two different types of diabetes. They are called Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed at any age but is usually children, teens and young adults. In Type 1 the body makes little to no insulin which in turn causes the person to have daily injections of insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs usually in adulthood, however because of high obesity rates teens and young adults also are diagnosed with it. Most people do not know that they have type 2 diabetes.

Statistics
25.8 million people of all ages (8.3% of the U.S population) 18.8 million Diagnosed 7.0 million Undiagnosed 10.9 million Aged 65 years and older had diabetes in 2010 215,000 younger than 20 had diabetes in 2010 1.9 million Aged 20 or older were newly diagnosed in 2010

Symptoms
There are many symptoms for diabetes: Urinating often Feeling very thirsty Feeling very hungry - even though you are eating Extreme fatigue Blurry vision Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal Weight loss - even though you are eating more (Type 1) Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (Type 2)

Possible Causes
The exact cause of Type 1 Diabetes is unknown. Many factors contribute to diabetes including: Heredity Lack of Exercise Obesity Diets that too high in fat and too low in protein and carbohydrates

Teaching Strategies
Be informed Know the warning signs Know how to treat Talk with parents/nurse Know what type of medication the student is on Make sure the student is checking blood sugar when necessary

Page 2 of 2

DIABETES
Signs and Testing
A urine analysis may show high blood sugar levels. Blood tests are done to measure the blood sugar levels in the body to confirm if someone has diabetes. Fasting blood glucose level test can be done. Diabetes is diagnosed if the blood sugar is higher than 126 mg/dL twice. A hemoglobin A1c test if it shows 6.5% or higher than you would be diagnosed with diabetes. A last blood test that can be done is oral glucose tolerance test. If a persons glucose level is higher than 200 mg/dL two hours after drinking a glucose drink than they would be diagnosed with diabetes.

Medical Discoveries
The DRI BioHub the MiniOrgan Researchers have found a new discovery that can mimic natural pancreas insulin secretions. It contains feel insulin containing cells that can sense blood sugar levels and release the amount of insulin in real time. Those already living with diabetes can see hope with the DRI BioHub. This bioengineered mini organ brings natural insulin production and normal blood sugar levels closer to reality.

Family Resources
American Diabetes Association 2002 Clipper Park Rd. Suite 110 Baltimore, MD 21211 (410) 265-0075
www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/localoffices/baltimore-maryland/

References
A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia. (2012, June 27). PubMed Health. Retrieved from Diabetes: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth /PMH0002194/ American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/ Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. (n.d.). DRI BioHub. Retrieved from www.diabetesresearch.org/BioHub National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases . (n.d.). Retrieved from National Diabetes Information: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/index.aspx

Johns Hopkins Diabetes Center 2360 W Joppa Rd. Suite 212 Lutherville, MD 21093 (443) 997-1508
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/diabetes/

University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center 301 Hospital Dr. Glen Burnie, MD 21061 (410) 787-4000
www.mybwmc.org/diabetes-and-nutritioneducation