Discovery

A Day With Diabetes

Here we present the winning entry in the NZSM School Science Journalism Competition, and excerpts from Highly Commended Entries.

Claire Whelen

It is 7:00am. For Andrea Wright this means it is time for her first injection of the day. Andrea is 15 years old and has diabetes. Diabetes affects three percent of New Zealand's population.

Andrea was diagnosed with having diabetes at two and a half years of age. Her parents noticed she was drinking a lot of water, going to the toilet a lot and crying more than other children her age. Andrea visited the doctor and was given a blood-sugar test. This showed that Andrea's blood-sugar level was abnormal.

Pregnancy, age, ethnic origin, obesity and, as in Andrea's case, family history are diabetes risk factors. Andrea's paternal grandfather and maternal grandmother both had diabetes.

There are several types of diabetes. Insulin dependent diabetes (IDDM) means there is a total loss of insulin production.

The most common form of diabetes is non-insulin dependent (NIDDM) -- the sufferer does not need to have insulin injections. Ten percent of people over 60 have NIDDM.

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. If the mother develops this while pregnant there are increased risks for the child. Almost half of these mothers later develop persistent diabetes.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance is another form of diabetes. It carries an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

A typical day for Andrea begins at 7:00am. She injects herself with 14 units of actrapid. Actrapid is a quick release insulin, however she must wait until 7:30 before she can eat.

Andrea's food intake for the day consists of nineteen "choices". An example of a choice is one Weetbix or one water biscuit. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are five choices each. Morning and afternoon tea are two choices each.

At lunch Andrea has 12 more units of actrapid. Half an hour before dinner she takes ten units of actrapid. Just before bed Andrea has 19 units of monotard. Monotard is a slow releasing insulin that will keep up her blood sugar levels during the night.

"Exercise is very important for diabetics", says Andrea. Exercise burns up energy and lowers the level of glucose in the blood. It makes insulin work more efficiently. Subsequently it is easier to control the amount of glucose in the blood. Diabetics have to take care to adjust eating habits and insulin intake before and after exercise.

Unfortunately there are many possible complications with diabetes. Eye disease is one of these complications. Blood vessels in the retina can be damaged. If changes are detected early the problem can be treated to prevent further damage.

Blood vessels in the kidney can be affected. Urine tests will detect this problem. Often diabetics with kidney problems will have to take extra medication.

Arteries can become "furred up" with fatty deposits which slow the flow of blood to the heart. This may cause heart disease. This problem can be avoided by regular exercise and healthy eating.

Long-term diabetes may damage the nerves of the feet. If this happens a diabetic may injure or burn their feet more easily.

Andrea says there are many disadvantages of having diabetes.

"I can't ever just forget about it, I can't just go down to the shop and buy a chocolate bar without worrying about my blood-sugar level."

She has to not only be aware of what a balanced diet is but also make sure that she actually follows it. Andrea will not be able to become an air hostess or pilot because of her condition. However she is not fazed by this, "I just look at it: at least I don't have cancer."

There has been much talk in recent years of strategies for the prevention of diabetes. The 1989 Area Health Boards' Guidelines suggest four programmes. Firstly they target nutrition and provide guidelines for New Zealanders. Secondly they advocate increased knowledge of the benefits of non-smoking, exercise, self-esteem and general health. Thirdly they stress the need to maintain a healthy body weight throughout life. Lastly they promote diabetes awareness by encouraging people to have regular blood-sugar testing.

They suggest three strategies for the longer term prevention of IDDM. Screening and identifying "at risk" families. Educating such families on factors which may delay the development of diabetes, such as diet. They also wish to promote New Zealand-based diabetes research.

The targets of such programmes were named as the elderly, obese, Maori and people with a family history of diabetes.

The report said such programmes should be carried out in conjunction with voluntary agencies.

There are many support networks for diabetics and their families. Diabetes Youth is an international organisation which publishes monthly magazines. Breakthrough is the official publication of Diabetes New Zealand Inc. Diabetes Viewpoint is the newsletter of Diabetes Christchurch Inc. These publications also provide interesting reading and helpful hints for the diabetic.

Claire Whelen is a fourth former at Christchurch Girls' High School.

To Be or Not To Be...?

Nancy Cruzan, now 32, has done nothing for the past seven years. She has not hugged her mother or gazed out the window or played with her nieces. She has neither laughed or wept, her parents say, or spoken a word. Since her car crashed on an icy night, she has lain still for so long that her hands have curled into claws; nurses wedge napkins under her fingers to prevent the nails from piercing her wrists. "She would hate being like this, " says her mother Joyce. "It took a long time to accept that she wasn't getting better." If a person's quality of life is this bad and there is no sign of recovery, why should the suffering of the patient and those close to them be prolonged?

Matthew Jenks is a seventh form student at Rotorua Lakes High School. He plans to attend Otago University next year with the aim of studying medicine.

Head Spinning with the Stars

Astronomy can focus us away from our world and onto other worlds and galaxies. Our horizons have been widened to comprehend the galaxy of which our sun is a member along with another hundred billion stars and other galaxies stretching away to the limit of measurable distances of time and space. We are now able to study the whole Universe as one body. We can find out what stars are made of and how they form and die. Has astronomy expanded and opened your mind?

Neil Avery is a 10-year-old at Tawa Intermediate who's been a regular visitor to Carter Observatory since he was six.

Vivisection

In many ways animal research is necessary, without it we would never find the vital cures for diseases. But are make-up and household cleaners so vital that we are willing to sacrifice animals to laboratory tests that will take away their will to survive? The question must be asked, "would you stop animal research that is breaking new ground, or buy products not tested on animals?"

Your answer is probably "no". So it is here that scientists have their security belt. For who has the power to stand in front of medical research and the demand of product testing? Without animal testing people feel unsafe and insecure, which will always lead to the disuse of an untested product. There is no perfect solution although animal testing is in much need of modification.

Karina Corbett is a fourth former at Massey High School in Auckland who is keenly interested in new discoveries.