Angela L. Williams - Diabetes Information for Teens: Teen Health Series

Teen Health Series

Diabetes Information for Teens,
Third Edition

Teen Health Series

Diabetes Information for Teens,
Third Edition

Health Tips about Managing Diabetes and
Preventing Related Complications

Including Facts about Insulin, Glucose Control,
Diabetes-Related Health Concerns, Healthy Eating,
Physical Activity, and Learning to Live with Diabetes

615 Griswold, Ste. 520

Detroit, MI 48226

Bibliographic Note

Because this page cannot legibly accommodate all the copyright notices, the Bibliographic Note portion of the Preface constitutes an extension of the copyright notice.

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OMNIGRAPHICS

Angela L. Williams, Managing Editor

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Copyright 2019 Omnigraphics

ISBN 978-0-7808-1737-1

E-ISBN 978-0-7808-1738-8

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019942315

Electronic or mechanical reproduction, including photography, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system for the purpose of resale is strictly prohibited without permission in writing from the publisher.

The information in this publication was compiled from the sources cited and from other sources considered reliable. While every possible effort has been made to ensure reliability, the publisher will not assume liability for damages caused by inaccuracies in the data, and makes no warranty, express or implied, on the accuracy of the information contained herein.

This book is printed on acid-free paper meeting the ANSI Z39.48 Standard. The infinity symbol that appears above indicates that the paper in this book meets that standard.

Printed in the United States

Preface

About This Book

The teen years are especially important in the battle against diabetes. As young people begin to take more personal responsibility for managing their health, they make their own choices about what to eat and what activities to pursue. These decisions can have consequences that impact well-being throughout the adult years. Currently, efforts to overcome diabetes are making little progress. According to recent U.S. statistics, the prevalence of type 1 diabetes appears to be increasing among children and adolescents. Researchers suspect that a combination of genetic and environmental factors may be involved in a process that causes the bodys autoimmune system to destroy insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cells. In addition, type 2 diabetes, which used to occur almost exclusively in adults, is now appearing with greater frequency among young people. Evidence suggests the trend is related to a tendency for children and adolescents to be more overweight and less active. However, medical advancements are helping people with diabetes better manage the disease, forestalling its complications. In addition, new insights into the diseases development are leading to more focused prevention efforts. In some cases, these involve lifestyle changes that can help delayor even preventdiabetes from developing. For people in whom the disease does appear, proper care and health management can help patients avoid its most serious long-term complications, such as nerve damage, loss of vision, amputation, kidney failure, and even premature death.

Diabetes Information for Teens, Third Edition examines the alarming trends in diabetes prevalence, and it provides information about positive steps that can be taken. The book provides facts about the different types of diabetes, its medical management, and the roles of nutrition and physical activity in averting its consequences. Suggestions are included for handling problematic situations, such as caring for diabetes at school or dealing with the emotional ups and downs associated with having diabetes, and a special section describes related health concerns and the prevention of complications. For readers seeking more information, the book provides a directory of diabetes resources and information about diabetes-friendly recipes.

How to Use This Book

This book is divided into parts and chapters. Parts focus on broad areas of interest; chapters are devoted to single topics within a part.

Part One: Understanding Diabetes begins with facts and statistics about diabetes. It explains how the metabolic processes that fuel the body can sometimes go awry leading to diabetes. It describes the differences between the many forms of diabetes, and myths about diabetes.

Part Two: Medical Management of Diabetes talks about the importance of working with a healthcare team and self-monitoring blood glucose levels. It explains commonly used diabetes medications and discusses the different roles played by oral diabetes medications and insulin. Problems related to blood sugar levels that are too high or too low are addressed. It also sheds light on diabetes treatment frauds and unapproved diabetes drugs.

Part Three: The Physical Complications of Diabetes explains how the metabolic processes that lead to diabetes can also damage the heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs and systems of the body. Suggestions for preventingor at least delayingthese health consequences are also included.

Part Four: Mental Health and Lifestyle Issues looks at the emotional aspects of dealing with diabetes and how disease management practices interact with daily life. It explains how mental health is of special concern to people with diabetes, and it offers tips for dealing with diabetes in particular situations, such as at school, while driving and traveling, when sick, and so on.

Part Five: Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Weight Management includes facts about meal planning and dietary strategies that can help keep blood sugar levels within a target range. It also discusses the importance of physical activity as a disease-management tool, and it explains how achieving a healthy body weight can help keep diabetes better controlled.

Part Six: If You Need More Information offers a directory of resources for more information about diabetes and some interesting diabetes-friendly recipes.

Bibliographic Note

This volume contains documents and excerpts from publications issued by the following U.S. government agencies: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD); National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH); National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); National Institutes of Health (NIH); U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

It may also contain original material produced by Omnigraphics and reviewed by medical consultants.

The photograph on the front cover is Mark Hatfield/iStockphoto.

Medical Review

Omnigraphics contracts with a team of qualified, senior medical professionals who serve as medical consultants for the Teen Health Series. As necessary, medical consultants review reprinted and originally written material for currency and accuracy. Citations including the phrase Reviewed (month, year) indicate material reviewed by this team. Medical consultation services are provided to the Teen Health Series