Type 1 Diabetes (T1D): What You Need to Know - JDRF

This video is sponsored by Lilly Diabetes.

Are you an extended family member, caregiver, teacher, or coach of a child with type 1 diabetes (T1D)? Do you go to school or are you friends with someone who has type 1 diabetes?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this video is for you!

JDRF created this video on T1D 101 to teach people like you about type 1 diabetes in children, and how you can be a more informed, supportive friend, teacher, or loved one.

What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness that arises when the pancreas, an organ in your body, malfunctions, either by not working properly or by producing substances that your body cannot effectively utilize. Consequently, the body faces challenges in regulating the amount of sugar in the blood, posing a risk to health. In most cases, individuals with diabetes require daily medication to assist in processing and managing their sugar levels.

There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in children and young adults. In T1D, your pancreas stops making insulin completely. As a result, you need to take insulin through daily injections or a pump attached to your arm or stomach.

On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is when your pancreas makes insulin, but your body can’t use it properly, so your sugar stays too high. Some people with type 2 diabetes need to take medicine, while others can manage their sugar levels simply by making changes to their diet.

Managing Diabetes in School
For a child who has recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, managing the disease while in school can be tricky. Remembering to take their shots and conduct glucose monitoring is a big responsibility. Getting help from teachers and other informed adults can be a big help.

Blood Sugar Management
Keeping your blood sugar levels stable is critical for anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes. If you are a teacher or student at school with someone who has type 1 diabetes, learning to spot the symptoms of high or low blood sugar can help you remind your student or classmate if they’ve forgotten to administer insulin, or if their sugar has fallen too low.

Low Blood Sugar Symptoms
- Paleness
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Headache
- Hunger
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Anxiety or irritability

High Blood Sugar Symptoms
- Unusual thirstiness and a dry mouth
- Tiredness
- Frequent urination
- Blurry vision

Want to expand your diabetes education and become a supportive teacher, friend, or family member? Visit our social media or website to learn more.

Timestamps:
- 0:00 - Introduction to the Speaker & Common Misconceptions
- 0:49 - Explaining Type 1 Diabetes & Insulin's Role
- 1:57 - Insulin Delivery Methods & Monitoring Blood Sugar
- 3:33 - Managing High and Low Blood Sugar Episodes
- 6:23 - Closing Thoughts & Being Regular Kids with Type 1 Diabetes