Diabetes
Diabetes
Over 200,000 children all over the United States have diabetes. But what is it? Read below to learn more.
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Glucose, Insulin and the Pancreas
Glucose, Insulin and the Pancreas
Diabetes affects how the body uses glucose (a sugar which is the main way our bodies get energy!).
How our bodies process insulin:
You eat
Glucose (sugar) from our food goes into our bloodstream
Our pancreas (a gland in our stomach that helps digest food) creates insulin
Insulin pulls the glucose from our bloodstream into our cells
Our body now has the energy it needs
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
In this form of diabetes, one’s body cannot make insulin. The body can still pull glucose from our food but the glucose stays in the bloodstream instead of going into cells where it's needed. If one’s blood sugar gets too high for too long, it can cause problems in our bodies. Because of this, people with Type 1 Diabetes receive insulin through little shots or an insulin pump to send the glucose into their cells.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
In this form of diabetes, one’s body can still make insulin. However, the insulin isn’t able to open the cells to let glucose in. The pancreas makes more and more insulin to try and get glucose out of the bloodstream and into the body’s cells. After a while, the pancreas is unable to make more insulin. Because of this, people with Type 2 Diabetes need to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet and sometimes take insulin shots to make sure glucose is able to get into their body’s cells to give energy.
Diabetes Management Form
Resources for Teachers, School Staff, Parents and Caregivers
Resources Used:
American Diabetes Association: https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes
KidsHealth: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/center/diabetes-center.html?ref=search
National Diabetes Statistics Report 2020: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf
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