Newly Diagnosed?
A new diagnosis of juvenile (type 1) diabetes can spark a range of reactions, including anger, sadness, and guilt. Whatever your feelings, they are normal, and you are not alone.
Life with diabetes poses challenges for every member of the family. Whether you have diabetes yourself, or are the parent or loved one of a person with diabetes, it takes time to adapt to the day-to-day demands of the disease. But treatment options are improving all the time, and diabetes will not prevent you or your child or loved one from living a full and active life. With medical and emotional support, children with diabetes and their families will learn to cope with the demands that the disease imposes. A child with diabetes, depending on age, will learn to take over much of his or her care. As time goes by, everyone will gain knowledge and confidence, and be able to celebrate successes, learn from mistakes, and move away from the intense feelings common after diagnosis.
New to Diabetes?
You’re Not Alone-We Can Help
- Check out some frequently asked questions
- Contact our Online Diabetes Support Team
Achoo! “Sick Day” Tips
The common cold or flu can complicate an already challenging diabetes care regimen. JDRF has a few tips to help you better manage sick days, but be sure to talk to your doctor as well.
Read personal stories from JDRF Families.
What You Should Know About Juvenile (Type 1) Diabetes
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
In type 1 diabetes, a person’s pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone necessary to sustain life. In a healthy person, glucose-a form of sugar produced when food is digested is burned as fuel to supply the body with energy. To turn food into energy, the body requires insulin, which allows glucose to move from the bloodstream into body cells to be used for energy. In people with type 1 diabetes, the body’s own immune system has attacked and destroyed its insulin producing beta cells (resulting in life-threateningly high levels of blood glucose), meaning insulin must be obtained from another source–injections or an insulin pump.
Although the causes are not entirely known, scientists believe the body’s own immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It is not caused by obesity or by eating excessive sugar, which are two common myths about type 1. To stay alive, people with type 1 diabetes must monitor their blood sugar frequently, inject insulin several times a day, and coordinate physical activities with their meal plan and insulin intake.
See information on Managing Type I Diabetes.
