Posted on 05/26/2009 12:24:12 PM PDT by jessduntno
Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the most severe form of a disease that annually accounts for more than $100 billion in health care costs in the U.S. alone. Usually striking before the age of 30, type 1 diabetes takes a harsh toll on people. Not only will they be insulin-dependent for life, but devastating life-limiting and life-shortening complications such as blindness, amputation, heart disease and stroke, and kidney failure are an ever-present threat. Insulin is not a cure for the disease—it is merely life support.
Type 1 diabetes is destructive both to children and to childhood. Controlling the disease requires 24/7/365 vigilance and imposes a grueling regimen. It includes eating a carefully calculated diet, checking blood glucose levels several times each day (by lancing a finger) and insulin injections—as many as six per day—or delivery of insulin through a pump just to stay alive. It means children and families living by the clock, day and night, for the rest of their lives—lives that turn out to average about 15 years less than normal.
You can't outgrow type 1 diabetes. As JDRF International Chairman Mary Tyler Moore has said, "Diabetes is an all too personal time bomb which can go off today, tomorrow, next year, or ten years from now—a time bomb affecting millions...one which must be defused." The only solution is a cure. That's why JDRF has a singular mission: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research as soon as possible.
(Excerpt) Read more at jdrf.org ...
Again that is an average. Some type ones live to be 85 while others live to be 23, all depends on genetics and how well you care for yourself. :)
“Type 1 increases kidney and heart risk, but so dies hypertension and high cholesterol.”
And by the way, if those were not important either, why is there public medical records published coveint them for most candidates for high office? But all of that aside, there seems to be a HUGE difference of opinion about the possible effects...
just FYI
RE: “As a physician, I can tell you this is a non-issue, as it should be. Her opinions re the law should take her out, not type 1 diabetes.”
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As a non-physician, but one who has a long family history of both types 1 and 2 diabetes I sort of disagree with you. While diabetes is not the biggest problem with Sotomayor’s nomination, it could be a factor down the road.
Truth is that Type 1 is often more serious than Type 2, especially after many years. Lots of heart issues turn up — I’ve had relatives die of diabetes related heart and other diseases — in their fifties/sixties. None of these people were obese in case anyone was wondering...
This diabetes deal could be an issue in a Supreme Court judge. But if Sotomayor were confirmed and died early, while in office, that would be an opportunity for another appointment, would it not?
So no, while diabetes may be an issue in this case, it should not prevent her confirmation. One hopes that many OTHER reasons will crop up to prevent sitting her on the Supreme’s bench.
re: “Even when insulin is injected regularly, type 1 diabetes usually results in a drastic reduction in the quality of life and shortens the average life span by 15 years.”
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Absolutely! My family alone, with its long history of Type 1 (and 2) sufferers, is evidence that Type 1 in particular can cause early death from directly related complications, no matter how well the patient is medicated and monitored.
Knock off the name-calling - post #2 in response to your post 1 was hardly a personal attack.
Perhaps I did not make my point clear enough, and for that, I am sorry. Diabetes is a medical condition that, after time, has complications. The severity and age of onset of these complications vary, with the msot important variable being how the disease is managed by physician AND patient, that is, how well is the blood sugar and other aspects of the disease controlled. My point is that medical conditions cannot be used to disqualify people for office, but mental illness should be taken into account. Mary Tyler Moore is a type 1 diabetic, and there are NFL and NHL players with this disease.
Yes...she (statistically speaking) has a higher than normal risk of an earlier death, but none of us know when we're going.
The first time it happened, I gave it the name “the Bed Spins.” I want to fall on my bed and hold on...
“My point is that medical conditions cannot be used to disqualify people for office, but mental illness should be taken into account.”
Aside from the affliction of Marxism, this is what I have read as well. Given the facts, I wonder, the many accounts of depression, instability, etc. why this would not be a bone of contention? Other than we would like monsters for bringing it up? By the way, I appreciate your service and your clarity here.
Wow perhaps either they had uncontrolable type 1 or weren’t taking as good care of themselves as you thought they were? I had an Aunt with type 1 who lived to be 83 who was diagonised at 17 and a Great Grand Father who lived to be into his 70’s though he was blind towards the end. He was diagonised in the early 1930’s so he was one of the first generations who had accesss to insulin. I fully expect to live much longer than either as long as I take care of myself.
That is very different than what I feel. I’ve never felt dizzy? I’ve only passed out twice and both were as a teen. I have had a few very lows when sleeping that I needed some help with but normally I know. My biggest problem is that I can drop really low before I have any symptoms. When the monitor reads 28 it’s time to eat something! I’ve freaked my Dr out a few times when I’m fasting for a test and still be walking and conversing even though I shouldn’t be able to.
“Wow perhaps either they had uncontrolable type 1 or weren’t taking as good care of themselves as you thought they were?”
My understanding is that it is quite unpredictable...as someone who was diagnosed with a relapsing course of MS, once thought, well, it could get REALLY bad or it could be in remission for a long long time...and no, I am not comparing the two...just the unpredictablilty...and it turns out it is a REALLY long time since an episode...
Most people with type 1 who take care of themselves and have good genetics won’t suffer a drastically shortened life or suffer many life threatening side effects. I think mental attitude has a great deal to do with it also. People who are completely consumed by it and let it define their lives usually don’t live very long, people who treat it like it is just something they have to do and don’t let it define them tend to live a very long life.There are cases where nothing they do can control it though but those aren’t the norm.
Knock off the name-calling - post #2 in response to your post 1 was hardly a personal attack.
I di not take it as such...and did not name call that poster.
No dispute. BTW did you know Elvis was a diabetic? I Googled “famous diabetics”. Many.
Eating peanut butter and banana sandwiches will do that to you.
“It’s a nicer tone you’ve assumed since earlier calling people idiots.”
Where did I call someone an idiot?
“Why is this not a factor in considering her for a Supreme appointment?”
Why would it be an issue?
Type 1 diabetics are fully functional people for most professions.
Actually, not to sound mean, but I don’t care if she had diabetes or not, many good people in America have diabetes.
Why is this lefty special?
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