Dealing with Diabetes

Why would doctors treating diabetics care about a poisonous lizard?

Well, in the 1990s, a doctor discovered that the saliva of the Gila monster - which lives in the southwestern United States and Mexico - contains a certain protein that can help diabetics control their blood sugar levels.

Recently, two companies - Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilli - developed a synthetic version of the lizard venom protein. They announced on Friday, April 29, 2005, that this drug, called Byetta, received the Food and Drug Administration's stamp of approval.

Byetta, the companies say, will essentially boost the effectiveness of traditional treatments for Type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, the drug does have some drawbacks. It needs to be injected twice a day and may cause nausea.

Even so, the benefits could be well worth the hassles to the millions of Americans that suffer from this type of diabetes.

About 18 million Americans have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, which means you probably either know someone who has diabetes or have a friend who knows a diabetic. The condition affects a patient's life on many levels - diet, social activities, sports, medical bills, etc.

But exactly what is diabetes, and how do diabetics deal with it? Those will be the big questions you'll explore during this week's lesson.

Living with Diabetes

Start your investigation at the TeensHealth site, and read Erika's Story.

What were the symptoms Erika noticed? How did the doctor test her for diabetes? In what ways did her daily routine change? How did diabetes affect sports and social activities?

Now let's visit with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and check out their Kids Online.

Begin with the New to Diabetes? section. Read the introduction, then find the answer to What is Diabetes?

Where does glucose come from? Why is it important? How does diabetes affect glucose levels? What causes diabetes?

Next, read about the Two Types of Diabetes and Why Me? In what ways are the two types different? Who is most at-risk for getting Type 1? Who might develop Type 2?

Once a person has diabetes, What Now? Also, browse More Q&A.

Now let's look at Your Life (with Diabetes).

Start with Basic Stuff, like Checking Blood Sugar, Taking Insulin, Eating options, Exercising, Dealing with Feelings, what happens when the disorder is Getting Complicated, and what Gears & Gadgets can help you deal with treatment.

If you were diagnosed with diabetes, what aspects would you find the most difficult to deal with on a daily basis? What things would be the most supportive and helpful?

In what ways do you think things would change At Home, with your Parents and Siblings? How would your life be different In School? How could Friends help?

What would you have to think about On the Go? On Special Occasions?

The lizard-based Byetta is just the latest drug to help diabetics manage their condition, and it likely won't be the last.

As you'll soon discover, scientists are continuously working on The Search for a Cure, but Are We There Yet?

What are some of the obstacles researchers face in finding a cure? How are researchers overcoming these challenges?

Make sure to take a look Behind the Scenes and what's In the Works. Also, find out how you can Make a Difference.

Do you know someone with diabetes? If so, what kinds of things could you do to support your friend? If you have diabetes, in what ways do you take care of yourself? In what ways do your friends and family provide support?

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Newspaper Activities

Browse issues of The Salt Lake Tribune for stories about people dealing with diabetes, or any news related to diabetes. Are there any workshops or support groups for diabetics being announced in your area? Is a local group holding a fundraiser to donate more money to research? In what ways are medical facilities helping to raise public awareness about diabetes?