Valeria's story, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 3 years after a serious episode of diabetic ketoacidosis, shows the impact of this disease on the lives of those who suffer from it and their families.His experience, together with that of other patients and health professionals, reminds us of the importance of early detection and comprehensive support to face a chronic disease that changes lives forever.
Type 1 diabetes: a disease that does not warn
Type 1 diabetes (DT1) is an autoimmune condition that destroys the beta cells of the pancreas responsible for producing insulin.Unlike type 2 diabetes, it is not related to lifestyle or body weight, and mainly affects children and young people.In Spain, about 1,100 new cases a year are diagnosed, many of them in critical situations due to the lack of evident symptoms in the early stages.
Valeria arrived at the hospital entering a coma, and her diagnosis was too late to avoid the physical and emotional trauma of a serious complication such as diabetic ketoacidosis.His mother, Ana Tormos, emphasizes that the ignorance of the symptoms was a key factor: "What hurts are not punctures, but the sacrifice to stop doing what others do."
The impact of early detection
According to experts, a population screening to detect type 1 diabetes could avoid up to 100% of cases of ketoacidosis in the debut of the disease.This would not only reduce the risk of serious long -term complications, such as blindness or kidney problems, but would allow families to adapt more gradually and less traumatic to the changes required by diabetes.
In some European countries, screen programs are already being implemented, which are providing valuable information to identify the most likely people to develop the disease.However, these programs have not yet been established in Spain due to high costs and lack of consensus on the population groups to be applied.
Day -to -day challenge
Living with type 1 diabetes implies a significant psychological and emotional burden.As explained by the president of the Spanish Diabetes Federation (Fede), Juan Francisco Perán, families face an arduous learning process to manage the disease.From calculating insulin ratios to planning each meal, diabetes steals spontaneity and requires making up to 180 daily decisions.
Ana Tormos, Valeria's mother, describes how she had to "learn to live again" after the diagnosis of her daughter.The lack of support in the school and health environment further hindered this process.Her experience led her to create awareness campaigns to identify serious symptoms and prevent cases such as yours.
The psychological load and the necessary support
Patients with type 1 diabetes face a constant psychological load.Glucose levels can be altered by factors as simple as the stress of a school exam, generating guilt and anxiety.This underlines the need to improve diabetological education, technological coverage and emotional support, especially in the first years after diagnosis.
Valeria's story reminds us that early detection and access to education and technology are essential to improve the quality of life of those who live with type 1 diabetes. With more awareness campaigns, better coverage of benefits and screening programs, we can avoid late diagnoses and help families face this disease with more tools and less fear.
Type 1 diabetes does not define those who suffer from it, but together we can transform the path they travel.
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