Nick Jonas has Type 1 Diabetes

Doctors really don’t know what causes Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes. Research is being done to explore both genetics and environmental triggers, but many kids who are diagnosed with diabetes have no family history of it at all.

Diabetes is manageable; kids who have this condition can live normal, active lives if they pay close attention to treating their condition. Diabetes can’t be cured, but its effects can be minimized. If your child doesn’t do this conscientiously, he or she might develop several undesirable complications. These can include:

• Neuropathy. This is nerve damage. It commonly causes problems in the legs, but it can also affect other systems in the body as well.

• Retinopathy. Diabetes can cause damage to the eyes, including causing blindness.

• Nephropathy. Nephropathy is kidney disease. Weak kidneys allow toxins to build up in the body and make a child sick.

• Heart Disease. Heart disease is more common to diabetics than non-diabetics. It can lead to other complications such as stroke, embolism, or heart attack.

So how do you know if your child has diabetes? There are some symptoms that all parents should be on the lookout for:

• Excessive thirst. Is your child constantly asking for something to drink?

• Frequent urination. If you find yourself saying, “Are you in the bathroom again?”…pay attention!

• Drowsiness or lethargy. They fall asleep over their homework, or they just can’t get the energy to do things they used to enjoy. If you’ve tried adjusting your child’s bedtime and it isn’t helping, bring this to your doctor’s attention.

• Sugar in urine. Obviously your doctor will have to test this, but it’s a pretty significant indicator.

• Sudden vision changes. The cells in the eyes are being attacked by the immune system, so vision decreases fairly quickly.

• Increased appetite. Are they suddenly hungry all the time, and can’t seem to get enough? They could be going through a growth spurt, as all kids do…but it could be diabetes.

• Sudden weight loss. None of that food is being processed like it should be. Instead of gaining weight, they might lose weight very quickly.

• Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath. The imbalance of sugar and insulin in the blood can come out in strange ways, including very sweet breath.

• Heavy, labored breathing. Your child might find it hard to catch his or her breath, even if they aren’t doing anything strenuous.

• Stupor, unconsciousness. If diabetes goes too long without being diagnosed, it can cause kids to faint or, in extreme cases, fall into a coma.

Taken alone, most of these symptoms seem harmless, but together, they could indicate the presence of Type 1 diabetes. Don’t be afraid to bring them up to your doctor; he or she can judge whether there’s anything to be concerned about. The sooner you start treatment, the more likely your child is to live a normal, active life.

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Some people actually plan their pregnancies–unlike most people in my family.  And really, that’s the best way to go, to choose the next major turn your life will take, rather than have it thrust upon you because you had too many margaritas on New Year’s Eve. 

There are a lot of things to think about if you’re considering getting pregnant.  For this post, I’ll concentrate on getting your body ready, but in the next few posts we’ll talk about your couple-relationship, your finances, and your job.

First, begin taking a multivitamin.  You want your daily recommended allowance of everything, but it’s important that you have plenty of folic acid and calcium.  Folic acid is important in the first trimester for the fetus’ normal neurological development, and calcium is important because the baby’s skeletal development draws calcium from the mother’s system.  If the mother doesn’t get enough calcium, it will be drawn from her bones and teeth.

Next, check with your ob/gyn.  Tell her that you’re thinking about getting pregnant sometime in the next year (or whatever time period you’ve determined).  Follow her advice and counsel.  Get any info you need about your birthing options; that’s not a decision you and your partner will make overnight, so the earlier you know what is available to you, the better.  Ask about any difficulties she might anticipate with conception or carrying.

Get in shape.  If you have a fitness discipline, keep it up.  If you don’t, it’s time to start one.  Try to shed those few extra pounds, and build up your heart, lung, and muscle strength.  Your exercising will be limited during pregnancy, and you’ll be gaining weight at the same time, so you want to do whatever you can now.

Start getting more aware of your body.  Pay attention to your cycle.  Chart your period and when you ovulate.  Notice how you feel during those times.  Discuss these things with your partner, so that you get more comfortable talking about the intimate details of your body together.  If you’re having trouble conceiving, this awareness will serve you well.  When you do conceive, if you know your own body well, you’ll know it verysoon after.

Kegels, Kegels, Kegels.  These are simple exercises you can do anywhere to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles; these are the muscles that support the uterus.  This will strengthen the muscles you’ll use during pregnancy and childbirth, but will also serve you well in other areas.  All you do is squeeze your vaginal mucles together as though you were starting and stopping the flow of urine.  The stronger you can make these muscles, the easier your birthing experience will go, and the sooner everything will be back in nice, tight shape afterward.

Practice.  Making babies is fun!  It also helps build intimacy between you and your partner.  You probably better start working on it now, so when the time comes, you’ll be ready to go. 

Have fun!