Managing diabetes.

Our friend's DD was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, I found the thread below that's fairly recent and definitely helpful. If anyone has anything else to add, particularly about making the transition, I'd appreciate it. This hit them out of the blue and they are reeling at the moment, but will definitely be well equipped to handle this together when they catch their breath.

She is 13 and quite bright, so she will certainly be fully participating in managing the illness. She plays infield on a top-tier team and shows as much promise to go all the way as anyone I've seen.

Previous thread here: http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-discussions/15295-players-diabetes.html

The biggest thing is not to be embarrassed about it. Stuff happens, watch me play softball.

Good Coaches do not care.

My dd was diagnosed 2 years ago. The first year was sort of rough with highs and lows. The #1 thing to remember is this is a life issue, not a softball issue. She has to be free to tell her coach if she has to come out, or have a snack mid game, or take a blood sugar reading... There has to be open and honest communication. She cannot feel like she can tough it out for another inning and then treat her low. She might not last that long without passing out.

Coaches have to be taught, by the parents, what the disease is and how it is treated. If treated properly she would not have an issue with her performance. My dd's doctor wanted her to be on insulin injections for 6 months before they would consider her for the pump. The Pump was the best thing, it took a little tweaking to get used to it but once we all figured it out, she has done better.

The girl is old enough to not only participate in her treatment, but she has to own it. She must be the one calculating her carb counts and her insulin dosage. Her parents might want to supervise, but she has to do it. Its hers, she has to be in charge of it. The kids we have seen whose parents took over the process had a hard time transitioning at older ages when they were on their own.

To coaches of kids with Type 1, you should find out what glucagon is, how to use it and where the player keeps hers/his.

JMHO... & another approach to managing it.

Book

According to this bestselling author, diabetes is not a disease; in the vast majority of cases, it is a complex mechanism of protection or survival that the body chooses to avoid the possibly fatal consequences of an unhealthful diet and lifestyle. Despite the body's ceaseless self-preservation efforts (which we call diseases), millions of people suffer or die unnecessarily from such consequences. The imbalanced blood sugar level in diabetes is but a symptom of illness, not the illness itself. By developing diabetes, the body is neither doing something wrong nor is it trying to commit suicide. The current diabetes epidemic is man-made, or rather, factory-made, and, therefore, can be halted and reversed through simple but effective changes in diet and lifestyle. Diabetes - No More provides you with essential information on the various causes of diabetes and how anyone can avoid them. To stop the diabetes epidemic we need to create the right circumstances that allows the body to heal. Just as there is a mechanism to become diabetic, there is also a mechanism to reverse it. Find out how!

You do understand that type 1 is an auto immune disorder where the body attacks the pancreas and kills off the beta cells that produce insulin. There is no cure or lifestyle change that changes or corrects this.

chinamigarden said:

You do understand that type 1 is an auto immune disorder where the body attacks the pancreas and kills off the beta cells that produce insulin. There is no cure or lifestyle change that changes or corrects this.

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I watched my Grand Mother die of it @ 52 when I was in 3rd grade. She used my snare drum as a way of letting Mom know when she needed something. I have read most of the Authors books... I have found them helpful... with the issues I had in the past... I have never had 1D nor any of my siblings.

Well, normally, I'd be reluctant to recommend that my friends risk the life of their child on snake oil, but since it's a bestseller........

guero_gordo said:

Well, normally, I'd be reluctant to recommend that my friends risk the life of their child on snake oil, but since it's a bestseller........

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I like the friends connotation.... those who have them, can have some from all ends of the spectrum... I don't want to play on this subject. Lets take it over to the here or here

Perfect Circle said:

I like the friends connotation.... those who have them, can have some from all ends of the spectrum... I don't want to play on this subject. Lets take it over to the here or here

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I agree why hijack 1 thread when we can hijack 3.

I am sure the author of that book is highly respected in her circles and I am certain from the paragraph you posted she probably has some great methods and information on type 2 diabetes and how lifestyle changes can halt land even reverse the disease. However the differences between treating type 1 and type 2 are as different as treating a concussion and a gout in your big toe. The fact that they have such similar names and share blood sugar issues are confusing. But rest assure they are completely different processes with completely different causes and treatments

chinamigarden said:

I agree why hijack 1 thread when we can hijack 3.

I am sure the author of that book is highly respected in her circles and I am certain from the paragraph you posted she probably has some great methods and information on type 2 diabetes and how lifestyle changes can halt land even reverse the disease. However the differences between treating type 1 and type 2 are as different as treating a concussion and a gout in your big toe. The fact that they have such similar names and share blood sugar issues are confusing. But rest assure they are completely different processes with completely different causes and treatments

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Sorry you feel I'm a triple Hi-jacker ... I'll say one more thing here... I was my heart felt suggestion...and I'll try to salvage by saying... Management of It and any other problem, is best helped by Restful Reading... I guess I was just offering that the solution will come from reading BOOKS ... by whom ever... and not grasping @ threads... Sorry