dealing with diabetes

New research warns of upcoming increases in cases for young people, but new technology and prevention efforts offer hope

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

New research from the American Diabetes Association shows that diabetes in those under the age of 20 will increase significantly in the coming decades. Research suggests that Type 1 diabetes will increase by 65% and that Type 2 diabetes will increase 700% in those under the age of 20 by the year 2060.

Dr. Ashley Thorsell, endocrinologist at Sansum Clinic, told the News-Press that the study showed “... the greatest burden in the black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native children.

“Regardless, this emphasizes the need to focus our research efforts and management of this disease on prevention,” Dr. Thorsell said. “Although it’s more difficult to prevent Type 1 diabetes, nutrition and dietary changes do play a part in the prevention and treatment of both diseases. It is absolutely vital that we ensure our youth are the healthiest they can be.”

Santa Barbara resident Kara Hornbuckle and her two children all have Type 1 diabetes. Ms. Hornbuckle also works for the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute as director of development.

Ms. Hornbuckle spoke with the NewsPress recently not only about her own journey with Type 1 diabetes but that of her children as well.

“I have lived with Type 1 for 35 years since I was 6 years old,” Ms. Hornbuckle said. “At the time there were a lot of unknowns for our family. I was the first in the family to develop it and we had so much to learn.

“I had to take insulin injections four to seven times a day and check blood glucose levels about six to 10 times a day. My diet changed significantly; everything was scheduled. There wasn’t a lot of flexibility.”

The News-Press asked Ms. Hornbuckle about the early warning signs of Type 1 diabetes and when she started noticing them in her children.

“Early warning signs include excessive urination, and having to drink a lot more water. You are always thirsty; it is very noticeable. It’s like having six to seven glasses at a time. For both of our kids, we saw that. I remember Lucas at 2 was drinking more and his diapers were filling up frequently.

“We were living in denial because we didn’t want him to live with this disease,” she continued. “So one day, I checked his blood sugar level, and it was so high the machine couldn’t read it. As soon as that happened, I was shocked, but I knew I had to get him taken care of immediately. So I called the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute.

“Dr. Zisser spoke with me, and he told me to go to the ER right away. I took Lucas to the ER, and he started vomiting in the waiting room because blood sugar was so high, and blood work confirmed he had

Type 1.”

Dr. Thorsell said warning signs of Type 1 diabetes include “rapid weight loss, increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue and fruity breath. In Type 2 diabetes, these symptoms are likely to be absent, and the disease progression is much slower.”

Ms. Hornbuckle also spoke about the diagnosis of her daughter.

“In December of 2021, it was deja vu when my daughter Kamryn started showing signs. It wasn’t as noticeable, but it was enough to alert my husband to check blood sugar level and we got the same reading as with my son. I was able to work with Dr. Fran Kaufman, a pediatric endocrinologist,” she said.

“Shortly after Lucas came home from hospital, he would hide from us under the table because he didn’t want insulin injections,” Ms. Hornbuckle said. “That was hard for him, and we had to negotiate with him when he needed to eat and when his blood sugar was high. Kamryn had a greater capacity to understand what was going on because she was older, and it was challenging for her to take insulin

• Second-degree commercial burglary on Dec. 10 when he entered a commercial building occupied by Loquita Restaurant, 202 State St., also with intent to commit larceny.

• Identity theft on Jan. 18, when he “did willfully and unlawfully with the intent to defraud, acquire and retain possession of personal identifying information of another person.”

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