Diabetes

Common Illnesses
Contagious Diseases
Lifelong Health Issues

Asthma

Allergies

Diabetes

Unavoidable Conditions
Why Kids Get Sick So Often
When To Call The Doctor
When To Send Your Child to Daycare
Safe Use of Antibiotics

Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious, lifelong health condition that occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin to stay healthy.

After we eat a meal, food circulates throughout our body waiting for insulin to help our cells absorb it and convert it into energy. As we eat, the pancreas -- a large gland behind our stomach -- automatically produces the right amount of insulin we need. But in people with diabetes, either the pancreas doesn't produce insulin at all, or it doesn't produce enough. As a result, their cells do not get the fuel they need to keep their bodies healthy.

Common symptoms of diabetes include:

Unusual thirst or hunger

Persistent tiredness or weakness

Sudden weight loss

Frequent urination

blurred vision and

Irritability

Diabetes affects the entire family. When one person develops diabetes, the dynamics of the entire family undergo changes. This is especially true if the person with diabetes is a child. For these children and their families, coping with diabetes means a day-to-day routine that doesn't allow for "days off" for good behavior.

But it does not have to be a tragedy. With their family's support and encouragement, kids with diabetes can lead happy, healthy lives.

Diabetes is a serious metabolic disorder that occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin to convert food to the energy required to maintain a healthy body. This lifelong medical condition affects 16 million Americans. Almost half don't know they have it. The companion web site features a special section on childhood diabetes at http://www.prairiepublic.org/features/healthworks/diabetes/children.html. Heathworks Diabetes: the Invisible Epidemic website identifies the symptoms and explores how people can learn to cope with the disease, improve the quality of their lives, and prevent many of the serious, life-threatening complications that result from uncontrolled diabetes.

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If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.

© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.

Common Illnesses Contagious Diseases Lifelong Health Issues Asthma Allergies Diabetes Unavoidable Conditions Why Kids Get Sick So Often When To Call The Doctor When To Send Your Child to Daycare Safe Use of Antibiotics		Diabetes Diabetes is a serious, lifelong health condition that occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin to stay healthy. After we eat a meal, food circulates throughout our body waiting for insulin to help our cells absorb it and convert it into energy. As we eat, the pancreas -- a large gland behind our stomach -- automatically produces the right amount of insulin we need. But in people with diabetes, either the pancreas doesn't produce insulin at all, or it doesn't produce enough. As a result, their cells do not get the fuel they need to keep their bodies healthy. Common symptoms of diabetes include: Unusual thirst or hunger Persistent tiredness or weakness Sudden weight loss Frequent urination blurred vision and Irritability Diabetes affects the entire family. When one person develops diabetes, the dynamics of the entire family undergo changes. This is especially true if the person with diabetes is a child. For these children and their families, coping with diabetes means a day-to-day routine that doesn't allow for "days off" for good behavior. But it does not have to be a tragedy. With their family's support and encouragement, kids with diabetes can lead happy, healthy lives. Diabetes is a serious metabolic disorder that occurs when the body fails to produce enough insulin to convert food to the energy required to maintain a healthy body. This lifelong medical condition affects 16 million Americans. Almost half don't know they have it. The companion web site features a special section on childhood diabetes at http://www.prairiepublic.org/features/healthworks/diabetes/children.html. Heathworks Diabetes: the Invisible Epidemic website identifies the symptoms and explores how people can learn to cope with the disease, improve the quality of their lives, and prevent many of the serious, life-threatening complications that result from uncontrolled diabetes.
		COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS \| YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT PARENTING CHALLENGES \| RESOURCES AND INFORMATION \| ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BACK TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC TELEVISION \| RETURN TO PRAIRIEPUBLIC.ORG HOME PAGE
		Missed A Program? Healthworks on Videotape If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.
		© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.