Type 1 Diabetes Awareness
As part of our district’s commitment to the health and safety of our families and community members, we are providing information and resources about type 1 diabetes (T1D).
You may know someone in your life who has T1D, or you may currently be caring for a child with T1D. We recognize the great effort needed to care for someone with T1D and are committed to raising awareness about this condition so more families can receive the resources and support they need.
About T1D
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a lifelong disease that attacks healthy insulin-producing cells in the pancreas needed to regulate blood sugar. Without insulin, blood sugar cannot get into cells and builds up in the bloodstream, damaging the body. Unlike other types of diabetes, it is not preventable, and you cannot reduce your risk through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.
Most people are not diagnosed until they begin experiencing symptoms in the final stage when blood sugar is higher than normal, and insulin dependence begins. Life-threatening complications may occur if they don't realize that symptoms are related to T1D and seek out medical care.
Common symptoms of T1D:
People with T1D may experience symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, exhaustion and blurred vision, increased hunger, and mood changes.
Who is at risk?
T1D can affect people of all ages. According to the latest data in the CDC's National Diabetes Statistic Report, the prevalence of children and adolescents younger than 20 diagnosed with T1D is relatively low - about 1 in 300 U.S. youths. Having a parent, child, or sibling with T1D increases your risk by up to 15 times. However, approximately 90% of people diagnosed have no family history.
How do you know if you are at risk for T1D?
A blood test can help families identify risk for T1D early - as soon as proteins called autoantibodies start to attack healthy cells in the pancreas. This may be years before a person begins experiencing symptoms.
Why get screened?
While T1D cannot be prevented, early detection through screening can help individuals to:
- Reduce the risk of life-threatening complications and hospitalization
- Potentially contribute to research that helps the scientific community better understand the evolution of T1D and develop medications that can help slow the progression
- Consider advances in therapy to modify the course of the disease
- Better plan for and manage a potential diagnosis
We always recommend that you reach out to your child’s health care provider when you have concerns about your child’s health. For educational materials about T1D and T1D screening, use the links below.