By Nicole Haas-Loomis Purple Science 6 th Grade 630’s Cluster

Diabetes is when your pancreas gets all of its beta cells destroyed. Beta cells are cells that are made in the pancreas and produce insulin. The job of insulin is to transport the glucose, also known as sugar, in your blood from the foods that your eat, and bring them to all the cells in your body to use for energy. When you don’t have beta cells, that make insulin and collect the sugar, all of the sugar builds up in your blood which becomes extremely dangerous, and your life could be at risk. What is Diabetes?

Unique/Important Symptoms:  Very thirsty  Frequent bathroom stops  Sudden vision changes  Sugar in urine  Fruity odor in breath  Hungry more often; increased appetite  Much weight lost in short periods of time  Lack of energy, enthusiasm; feeling of drowsiness or lethargy  Dizziness or unconsciousness  Labored breathing Other Symptoms:  Dry skin  Body’s immune system is not strong, always sick If Serious, These are Some Symptoms: -abdominal pain -vomiting -rapid breathing -drowsiness -extreme tiredness (these might occur, not always) *All symptoms may appear suddenly and severely.* ature=player_detailpage

 Occurs when immune system attacks and kills pancreas cells, called beta cells.  The cause is not known, but scientists believe the cause has to do with autoimmune, genetic and environmental factors. Heredity (physical traits you inherit) might also be involved.  Some researchers say it might be caused by a virus organism that causes diseases and harm to the pancreas. If the pathogens get into your body at a young age, they might attack your pancreas, affecting it, so it doesn’t make beta cells. This is a pancreas with vessels that bring the insulin to the body.

 Body parts and systems that juvenile diabetes affect: -The pancreas is part of the digestive and endocrine systems. When a person has juvenile diabetes, their beta cells, made in the pancreas, get attacked and killed. -Juvenile diabetes also can affect the blood vessels in your eyes. This can lead to blindness or eye diseases. In addition, all of the uncollected glucose is circling around in the blood and clogging the vessels. This will make the vessels narrower and the person is more likely to have a stroke or “heart disease”. The blood vessels and blood are part of the cardiovascular system. -The nervous system is affected when the glucose in the blood goes to the nervous system. Your nerves can become tingly, pained and numb; especially in you feet and legs. -The kidneys’ job is to filter out all of the sugar and waste in your blood. If there is too much waste in your blood (the waste is the glucose), then the kidneys must work harder, and this might lead to chronic kidney disease or kidney failure. Kidneys are part of the urinary system.

 Known Ways: -people that have siblings or parents with juvenile diabetes have a slight risk of getting the disease. -genes can show if a person is at a higher risk of getting juvenile diabetes.  Possible Risk Factors: -Viral Exposure to Epstein Barr virus, Coxsackie virus, mumps or cytomegalovirus might possibly activate autoimmune destruction to the beta cells in the pancreas. These viruses may directly infect the cells.  Low Vitamin D at an early age could have a connection to an increased risk of Juvenile Diabetes. Some people say if a baby has cow’s milk at an early age instead of being breast fed they are at a higher risk of having juvenile diabetes.  Dietary Factors such as water with nitrates, the age at when cereal is introduced into a child’s diet and certain baby formulas. Transmission

 According to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Mayo Clinic, Juvenile Diabetes can not be prevented.  This disease can not be spread by germs.  This disease can not be prevented from occurring.

 Usually occurs: -children -teens -young adults  Found in a lot of young Caucasian (white) people.  Most commonly found in people from Northern European descendants.  Also common in certain Mediterranean ethnic groups, such as Sardinians.  Juvenile diabetes is less common in Asian and African-American ethnic groups.  According to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 90% of the people with juvenile diabetes have relatives with diabetes.  Insulin was discovered and given out in  Diabetes was first recognized in Ancient Greece. Epidemiology

Treatment  There is no cure for juvenile diabetes, so far, but there are many treatments that can make the condition better!  People take insulin injections, pumps or pills daily to avoid having too low blood sugar.  People prick their finger 6 or more times per day to check blood sugar level.  There is no vaccine for diabetes YET because our technology in stem cell research is still being invented and is not ready for the task. For right now, people just have to take injections or pills to help.  People must be aware of how much exercise and food they take in because: -hypoglycemic=low blood sugar -hyperglycemic=high blood sugar  There are specialized programs for each person to lower blood sugar if too high.  Some people have to change dietary habits.  Some people gets prescribed insulin medication to maintain blood sugar levels.

 Another names for Juvenile Diabetes are “Diabetes Mellitus”, “Insulin- Dependent Diabetes” or “Type 1 (diabetes)”.  2 major types of diabetes -Type 1 is Juvenile Diabetes  African-Americans with juvenile diabetes are 50% more likely to die from the disease because of lack of good health care.  Taking insulin only helps the person stay alive. It doesn’t fully cure the disease.  Joslin Diabetes Center is famous for dealing with diabetes and is located right in Boston.  November is Diabetes Awareness Month  The general blood sugar range (what is wanted/best): -before meals: mg/dL -at bedtime: mg/dL  The insulin pump was developed so people wouldn’t have to give themselves shots everyday. Cool Facts

What is Diabetes?: Symptoms: Diabetes by Barbara Sheen, Sick! D to H, World Book D , Section: Health (juvenile diabetes) Causes: Sick! D to H, World Book D , Section: Health, affected-diabetes/ affected-diabetes/ Transmission: Section: Health, diabetes-in-children/DS00931/DSECTION=risk-factors diabetes-in-children/DS00931/DSECTION=risk-factors Prevention: Section: Health, diabetes-in-children/DS00931/DSECTION=risk-factors diabetes-in-children/DS00931/DSECTION=risk-factors Epidemiology: Sick! D to H, The New York Times 6/17/2008, Section: Health, Treatment: Sick! D to H Cool Facts: