<p>I wanted to take a moment to talk to you about diabetes. We have had a few cases of new onset insulin dependent (type 1) diabetes here in school. While diabetes is not contagious and it is determined by your own genes, I wanted to make you aware of the symptoms you would see should your child develop diabetes.</p><p>First let’s go over what diabetes is. Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, a sugar that is the body's main source of fuel. Just as an iPod needs a battery, your body needs glucose to keep running. Here's how it should work:</p><p>1. You eat. 2. Glucose from the food gets into your bloodstream. 3. Your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin. 4. Insulin helps the glucose get into the body's cells. 5. Your body gets the energy it needs. The pancreas is a long, flat gland in your belly that helps your body digest food. It also makes insulin. Insulin is kind of like a key that opens the doors to the cells of the body. It lets the glucose in. Then the glucose can move out of the blood and into the cells. But if someone has diabetes, the body either can't make insulin or the insulin doesn't work in the body like it should. The glucose can't get into the cells normally, so the blood sugar level gets too high. Lots of sugar in the blood makes people sick if they don't get treatment. The major symptoms are increased hunger, unexplained weight loss, frequent urination, and increased thirst. Other smaller symptoms are headaches, blurred vision, and feeling tired or like you have less energy.</p><p>If your child has any of the above symptoms please call your pediatrician and make them aware, they will direct you on further care as needed.</p><p>Any questions you can reach me at 920-833-2306 ext. 427</p><p>Amber Thompson, RN School District Nurse</p>