NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — In case you didn’t already know, Usher will be appearing during the halftime show at Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Asher’s child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and he is raising awareness about this chronic disease.
He wants to spread the word about T1D in hopes of encouraging early screening in young children.
North Dakota has the 13th highest prevalence of diabetes in the nation.
Unlike T1D, in type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces less insulin than before.
However, type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin and the body’s immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.
An estimated 54,000 people in North Dakota have diabetes, about 5 to 10 percent of whom have type 1 diabetes.
But Donna Amundson, a certified diabetes nurse educator at Sanford Health in Bismarck, said diabetes can be detected early and is very manageable.
“This can occur at any age, but is most commonly seen in young children. For example, you might have a child who suddenly becomes a little sleepier and lethargic than usual. They also drink less water. They are gaining weight and going to the bathroom more often. These are all signs and symptoms that something is not right. Weight loss is another sign. If your child is losing weight, it usually means It shows that something is happening. They need to be seen right away,” Amandson said.
She also said that primary care providers and dietitians can help people suffering from this condition manage their symptoms much easier. She says you can live a normal life even if you have a chronic illness.
To learn more about type 1 diabetes and how to manage it, visit Sanford Health’s site. Website Search for “endocrinology”.