Diabetes is a disease that impacts the bodies ability to produce insulin. There are two main types of diabetes – Type 1 which occurs when your pancreas is unable to produce insulin and Type 2 which occurs when your body is unable to produce enough insulin or it is unable to use insulin correctly.
Kelly Robinson, mother of three, was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during her second pregnancy. One year after her pregnancy, she discovered that she had developed Type 1 diabetes which meant altering many aspects of her life.
“I would just say it is a devastating diagnosis because you live with it for the rest of your life and you are never away from it. But you can take it on a really positive route.”
This diagnosis meant that Kelly has to adjust her diet, regularly check her blood sugar levels, and give herself daily insulin injections. It also means that she is at a higher risk for heart attack, stroke, permanent vision issues, kidney damage, among other health issues.
“My family has made some changes on our eating. We don’t fry any foods, we do things grilled. We do a lot of salads. And I think my boys are healthier for it. And we do all exercise and try stay as healthy as we can. I think overall it has been a positive influence on my family.”
As obesity rates continue to rise, Type 2 Diabetes is becoming more common among children and young adults. Therefore, it is very important to look for the signs and symptoms of this disease in yourself and your children. Dr. Shaili Felton, an Endocrinologist with Covenant, recommends that if you notice frequent urination, sudden bed wetting with young children, vision issues, excessive thirst, or increased caloric intake paired with weight loss that it is always best to get checked out by your physician.
“The earlier we find out about these diagnosis the easier it is for us to sort of put a good treatment plan in place for us to be able to help and prevent these complications down the road.”
While there is no known cause to diabetes, your chance of developing Diabetes, especially Type 2, can be greatly impacted by obesity, diet, exercise, and your genetic makeup so it is very important to stay active and eat healthy. And for children who have been diagnosed diabetes, there are many summer camps that help with the transition to living with Diabetes. In Texas, some these camps include Camp Sweeney, Camp Rainbow, and Camp Bluebonnet.
