Diabetes : Questions and worries you might have (BD Medical - Diabetes Care)

  
 

Why me?
Nobody really knows what causes diabetes.
One thing is for sure: diabetes isn’t your fault and it is certainly not because of something you have eaten or something you have done wrong!

Diabetes may be passed down in families, just like the colour of your eyes. For some people, diabetes may be triggered after a viral infection.

Will I always need insulin?
In your case, you have what is called Type 1 diabetes. This means that your body completely stops making the insulin it needs to work properly and injecting insulin is the only way to replace what your body no longer makes.
You may have heard about a person having diabetes and taking pills but it's not the same diabetes. That's what we call Type 2 diabetes.

Will my diabetes ever go away?
Unfortunately, you won't grow out of diabetes and it will always be there. However, you can treat your diabetes by injecting the insulin that you body is not able to make anymore.
   
Can my friends catch my diabetes?
Unlike chicken pox or flu, you can’t catch diabetes or give it to anyone else. Therefore none of your friends will become diabetic if they play with you.

What’s going to happen when I go back to school?
As soon as you feel better, you will be able to go back to school as usual and do all the things you used to do: playing with your mates, doing exercise, going for a picnic or a day trip with your class... Nothing will really change!

Can I still go to parties?
Of course you can! An occasional treat is all right and with a little bit of planning everything will be fine. Try to stick to sandwiches, pizza, popcorn or crisps... a piece of birthday cake is fine too! If there are not any sugar free or light fizzy drinks, try to drink squash/fruit juices or bring your own sugar free drink!