Children's Diabetes Foundation Interview

#433 Great.com Talks With... Children's Diabetes Foundation

We commonly think of diabetes as a result of poor dietary choices and lack of exercise. This is more characteristic of Type 2 diabetes though, and differs starkly from Type 1, which is a genetic disorder often manifesting in children and young teens. Despite the high number of people living with Type 1 diabetes (over 1.6 million in the U.S.), we still have much to learn about the onset and implications for those living with it. In this episode, we spoke with Paige Lindbloom from Children's Diabetes Foundation about their work in funding diabetes research, raising public awareness and supporting patients with specialized programs. 

So How Can Type 1 Diabetes Be Recognized and Managed?

Type 1 diabetes is not caused by lifestyle choices, age, race or place. Prominent symptoms include: frequent urination, bedwetting, fatigue, blurred vision and uncontrolled weight loss. These symptoms can often come about very suddenly, especially within children. For those with Type 1 diabetes,  their pancreas - which is an organ that secretes insulin - is attacked by the immune system and the insulin producing cells are destroyed. They cannot utilize the sugars in their body and turn it into energy, and therefore people with Type 1 have to manage it by self-administering insulin via injections or insulin pump therapy. 

Research surrounding a potential cure for Type 1 diabetes is fraught with difficulties as we still don’t know what the common trigger is. Paige explains how this limits the preventative research and the medical care is still focusing on ways to more effectively manage the administration of insulin. As someone living with Type 1 diabetes herself, she found her own ways to live a wholesome and stimulating life - she encourages individuals and parents alike to empower themselves and their children to lead independent and fulfilling lives. 

Listen to the whole interview to find out more on Type 1 research and findings, as well as the Children’s Diabetes Foundation’s holistic programs. You can also explore their current research studies and see the ways that you could support them. See how you could lend a helping hand so that Type 1 diabetes doesn’t have to define the person. 

Want to learn more about Children's Diabetes Foundation? You can subscribe to their newsletter, checkout their news section and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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