CHILDREN COPE WITH DIABETES

Pricked fingers and insulin shots are just part of life for diabetic children.

"When I was little I used to run away from shots because I hated them so bad," third-grader Wade Cramer of Jackson wrote in an essay.

"Well, now I'm getting use to it. I play baseball, basketball, and soccer and wrestle," he said. "Dad always brings Gatorade or juice. And that is what diabetes is all about."

Wade and four other students will be recognized for their winning essays at an informational meeting on diabetes at 7 tonight. The meeting will be held in conference rooms C and D at St. Francis Medical Center.

Third-grader Jenna Ellis, 8, of Sedgewickville Route 1 also lives with the disease.

"I have to get up early every day to get my finger poked, shot, then eat my breakfast. I get two shots a day and four finger pokes a day.

"I used to hate shots but now I don't mind them, but I hate to get my blood drawn," she said.

Fifth-grader Jeffrey David Cady of Cape Girardeau has adjusted to getting shots.

"When I do my insulin shot, I only do it in my stomach, and my mom and dad give me my shot in my arms and legs," he said.

"Diabetes is basically a full-time job because you have to constantly monitor it," sixth-grader Mitchell Sadler of Cape Girardeau wrote.

Seventh-grader Audrey Polk of Cape Girardeau just learned that she has juvenile diabetes.

"There are so many things that I can't eat or do," she pointed out. "I can't have fruit punch, brownies, and most cereals because of the sugar.

"Another thing is sports; I can't play very long at all unless I eat extra food to keep my blood sugar from dropping. I also have specific times to eat so that I don't get sick from my insulin," she explained.

Students from first-through-eighth grades entered the essay contest, which was sponsored by Southeast Missouri Hospital and the American Diabetes Association.

The meeting will feature a panel discussion by medical professionals on a team approach to diabetes care. It is sponsored by Southeast Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center. It is being held as part of National Diabetes Month.

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body doesn't make or doesn't properly use insulin, a hormone that helps the body use the energy from sugar, starches and other foods.

Fourteen million Americans have diabetes, but only 7 million know they have it and are getting treatment, said Janet Stewart, a diabetes educator at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Diabetes is the third-leading cause of death by disease in the United States. It is the top cause of blindness in people ages 12 to 74.

"They are more prone to kidney problems, more prone to eye problems, more prone to foot problems, and even heart problems," she said.

About 40 percent of Southeast Hospital's patients have some form of diabetes. At St. Francis the percentage is 35 percent.

Rosie Danker, diabetes educator at St. Francis, said medications for other health problems can affect diabetes. Many over-the-counter cough medicines, for example, contain sugar.

Only about 10 percent of diabetic patients have to take insulin, she said. In most cases diabetes can be controlled through exercise and diet, or medication that makes the body produce more insulin.

Both hospitals offer regular diabetes screenings. Southeast Missouri Hospital will offer a free screening on Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at John's Pharmacy, 2001 Independence.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Increased thirst

Frequent rrination

Blurred vision

Drowsinesss after a meal

Lingering skin infections

Rapid weight loss

Nausea or vomiting

Source: St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital diabetes educators