Type 1 Diabetes In Children

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Type 1 Diabetes affects mostly children and young adults. Their pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is an important hormone. It is needed to convert sugar and starches into energy. People who suffer from diabetes have to constantly be checking their blood sugar level throughout the day, and have to calculate how much insulin they need to take. If someone takes too much insulin their blood sugar levels will be low, this is called hypoglycemia. If left untreated a person can pass out or it can even lead to death. If someone doesn’t have enough insulin it is called hyperglycemia. Over time this can cause heart disease, kidney problems, or eye issues. The artificial pancreas may be the next best thing to a cure for them. This device uses already available…show more content…
When the children used the artificial pancreas there were only 12 low blood sugar episodes compared to the night without the artificial pancreas, when there were 36 episodes. Normally the children would have to be awoken during the night so that their blood sugar levels could be tested and if need be they were given insulin or food. The artificial pancreas made it so that the children didn’t have to wake up in the middle of the night, disturbing their sleep, given something to eat, adding to their calorie intake and leaving residue on their teeth. The artificial pancreas made it easier for the children. In-home trials are set to begin this year. Given time the artificial pancreas will improve to where no low blood sugar episodes happen and will help in the long run, preventing some of the complications of Type 1 diabetes, such as stroke, blindness, heart and kidney diseases, and nerve
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