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About Diabetes

New to diabetes? Find out what it's all about, how to handle everyday challenges, and why good self-care is so important. Then be sure to link out to some key diabetes advocacy groups, to find out how you can help.

Heading out for spring break?

Use our travel tips to help plan, pack, and enjoy your trip to the fullest, without diabetes getting in the way.

Travel for Diabetics - Diabetes and Travel

Ready to get out of town? Well if you're like many people with diabetes, self-management has taught you to become a master organizer. Those skills will serve you well as you take a vacation or business trip. Managing your blood sugar when out of town comes down to planning ahead, packing wisely, sticking to your normal routine as much as possible, and making smart adjustments as the situation requires.

Just remember that being out of town may result in changes to your meal plan, normal activity level, and stress (even the good kind). Testing your blood sugar more often² and keeping snacks with you at all times¹ will help you make sure you're always feeling your best.

If you're traveling alone by plane, tell the flight attendant that you have diabetes, so they can help you in case of emergency.²

¹ American Diabetes Association. "When You Travel." Accessed February 9, 2007. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/pre-diabetes/travel/when-you-travel.jsp

² National Diabetes Education Program. "Have Diabetes. Will Travel." Accessed February 9, 2007. Available at: http://www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/Diabetes_travel_article.pdf

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children or young adults, although it can occur at any age. Roughly 1 in every 400-600 children and adolescents has diabetes.¹

Formerly known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system destroys the pancreas's beta cells-the cells which create insulin.¹ As a result, the body makes very little or no insulin of its own.

A person with type 1 diabetes must use one of the following methods every day to take insulin:²

an insulin pump
an insulin pen

• injections with a syringe

But insulin is just one part of the treatment picture. In addition, a person with type 1 diabetes must learn to manage a healthy meal plan and engage in regular physical activity, as well as test their blood sugar frequently. Why?

Eating the right types and amounts of food provides fuel for everyday activities, without letting blood sugar rise outside the range recommended by your healthcare team.³
Physical activity helps burn the extra sugar in your bloodstream, while reducing the risk of some long-term complications of diabetes.³
Insulin unlocks the body's cells, letting sugar in to provide energy.

• Testing blood sugar three or more times a day, depending upon your doctor's recommendation, will help show how your efforts are paying off and help guide your doctor's changes to your self-care plan.³

¹ Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "National Diabetes Fact Sheet: General Information and National Estimates on Diabetes in the United States, 2005.
² National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). "Diabetes Overview."
³ American Diabetes Association. "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2006." Diabetes Care 29 (2006): S4-S42.

Your emergency kit

Get your family ready for anything with a few simple advance-planning tips.

Planning for a Disaster

Hurricane Katrina was an eye-opener for many Americans. In your area, hurricanes may not be an issue, but what about a tornado or blizzard? A simple power outage? You never know when something may happen to disrupt your self-care. It's never a bad idea to have a plan in place.

Pack - and repack - a kit

Keep a ready stock of diabetes supplies and necessary items in a waterproof bag or bin, and keep them in an easy to reach place.^1,5

Store three days of diabetes supplies, including any oral medication, insulin, syringes, testing supplies, and candy or fast-acting glucose. An extra glucagon emergency kit is a good idea. Keep extra batteries for your meter or pump, as well.¹
Replenish supplies every two weeks so that everything you use and store remains current.⁵
Pack some snacks to treat hypoglycemia.²
Include a list of emergency contacts, such as your healthcare team, family members, schools or daycare centers, and more.¹ Make copies of all prescriptions (not just for diabetes).⁵
Add a flashlight with extra batteries, moist towlettes, a first aid kit, and a whistle for signaling help.³

• Keep food and water on hand. Consider one gallon of water per person per day for three days, and a three-day supply of non-perishable food.³ Don't forget your pets, too.

Make a plan

Everyone in the family needs to know what they're expected to do in an emergency - before it happens.

Map out the family. Figure out how you'll get in touch with one another and where you should meet if something happens.⁴
Talk to the school. If you have a child with diabetes, make sure the school has identified adults who are to assist your child in case of emergency evacuation.¹

• Wear the tag. Possible emergencies are just one more good reason to always wear a medical ID tag that tells people you have diabetes.

In an emergency

Every situation is different, but consider these general guidelines.

Identify yourself as a person with diabetes. That way healthcare or relief workers can help make sure you get the care you need. Tell them about any other complications you have, as well.²
Drink water. In an emergency, your blood sugar may be more likely to run high. This can lead to dehydration. Why? The body is trying to dump glucose out of your system through urination.² So try to take in enough liquid to remain well hydrated.
Watch for signs of hypoglycemia. Keep a snack with you when possible, in case you need to treat a blood sugar low.²
Watch out for infections, especially on your feet. Inspect your feet regularly, and try to avoid walking through contaminated water or injuring your feet.²

• Test your blood sugar. Keep a close eye on your blood sugar as much as possible. Stressful situations can cause your body to respond in unexpected ways.

¹ American Diabetes Association. "Tips for Emergency Preparedness." Accessed February 9, 2007. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/pre-diabetes/travel/emergency-tips.jsp

² American Diabetes Association. "Medical Advice for People with Diabetes in Emergency Situations." Accessed February 9, 2007. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/uedocuments/ADAEmergencyMedicalAdvice.pdf

³ Department of Homeland Security. "Ready America: Get a Kit." Accessed February 9, 2007. Available at: http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html

⁴ Department of Homeland Security. "Family Emergency Plan." Accessed February 9, 2007. Available at: http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/familyemergencyplan.pdf

⁵ Children with Diabetes. "Diabetes Emergency Kit." Accessed February 9, 2007. Available at: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0n_910.htm

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What Is Diabetes

Completing the Circle of Care

Seasonal Self-Care

Supporting Friends and Family

Taking Charge

Special Situations