How can this happen? I just read that it is common for type 1's to die in early adulthood when they are no longer under parental supervision.
Now I won't sleep tonight.
http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/information/daily_living/Viewpoints/Michelle_Alswager/when-worst-happens.html
Wow, I really would like to know what caused his death though!
As the author points out, it is the exception and not the rule that this happens. I didn't see anywhere that she said it was "common" - she seemed to just point out incidents she knew of. Overnight and unrecognized hypoglycemia can happen to anyone at any age.
That is so sad. :(
As people have already pointed out though, it wasn't an indication that it's "common." Simply that it has happened to her son and a few others.
I think, if I had a child with diabetes, I would lessen my fear of this by easing them into controlling their own diabetes. Let them take an active role early on, be constant support once they're doing it on their own, and continue supervising to make sure there are no unnecessary problems. Plus, continuous glucose monitoring!!! I think this should be considered standard diabetic care for anyone who chooses it. I got to do a trial week with a Dexcom last week. It warned me when my BG started dropping fast while behind the wheel of my car, and I felt safe going to sleep after an evening of struggling to keep my blood sugar up because I had it set to buzz if I hit a BG of 80. Invaluable! If I had a child and the CGM worked for him/her, I would feel about a million times better if they wore one.
Yes it's true this article doesn't mention it is becoming an increasing problem according to this article I read the other day. When I saw the story about this child and the other young people it reminded me of what this article mentioned.
http://www.uidaho.edu/newsevents/item?name=second-life-provides-unique-approach-to-diabetes-education-and-management
"Young adults in particular are typically hard to reach for diabetes counselors and educators. As they transition from pediatric care to adult care, young adults tend to drop off the radar in terms of care and meeting with care providers. A consequence is the young men and women with diabetes often rely on each other for information, some of it inaccurate.
The result can be tragic. "We are seeing more young people in Idaho die because of diabetes-related causes that proper care could have prevented," Safaii-Fabiano said."
Sorry for the babbling. I think everyone will figure out what I meant to write.