And now it's time for Who Smarted?
Psst, hey, smarty pants.
As you may be able to hear, right now I'm at a big county fair with my niece, Gia, and her friend, Olivia.
Candy apples, get your candy apples here.
Ooh, did he just say candy apples?
I know I just had a corn dog and a funnel cake, but I could sure go for a candy apple.
How about you two?
An apple covered in candy?
Yes, please!
Would you like one too, Olivia?
Um, no thanks.
I shouldn't have a candy apple right now.
You sure?
It's on me.
No, it's not about the money.
I have to be careful what I eat.
I'm diabetic.
Oh, gotcha.
Hey look, there's a pickle on a stick stand.
Would that be better for you, Olivia?
Oh, that sounds deliciously crunchy and would be a much better choice for me.
Thanks, Gia.
Thanks, trustee.
Of course, Olivia.
I'm just glad you're so on top of managing your diabetes.
Smartypants, do you or anyone in your family have diabetes?
Have you ever even heard of diabetes before?
My grandmother on my dad's side has diabetes, and my father is pre-diabetic.
But I don't really know too much about it.
Well then, maybe it's time to learn more about it.
For starters, what is diabetes?
How do you know if you have diabetes?
How does it affect your body?
And can kids with diabetes enjoy the same activities as their friends and family without diabetes?
Oh, I can help answer some of those questions.
Great!
Then it's time for another whiff of science and history on... Who's Smarted?
Who's Smarted?
Who's smart?
Is it you?
Is it me?
Is it science or history?
Listen up, everyone.
We make smarting lots of fun on Who's Smart?
You know what?
I think I'm going to skip the candy apple and have a pickle instead.
Same.
I've had enough sugar today from the deep fried Oreos.
Any more and I'm going to crash.
Good idea.
Three pickles on a stick, please.
Okay, smarty pants, let's start out with the most basic question.
What is diabetes?
Is it A, an allergic reaction to sugar?
B, something that happens if you eat too much junk food at the fair?
Or C, a health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy?
If you said C, a health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy, you're right.
And a lot of it centers around something called glucose.
Glucose?
What's that?
Smarty pants, do you know what glucose is?
It sounds like some of you know, but a lot of smarty pants aren't so sure.
Olivia, would you like to explain it to them?
Sure.
Glucose is a type of sugar that comes from some of the foods you and I eat.
It's the main source of energy for all the cells in your entire body.
Whoa.
A part of your body called the pancreas makes a hormone called insulin that helps glucose get into your cells so they can do their jobs.
Nice job, Olivia.
Smartypants, do you know where in your body the pancreas is located?
Is it A, near your heart, B, near your stomach, or C, near your brain?
If you said B, near your stomach, you are correct.
The pancreas is a small body part located behind your stomach and small intestine.
Now, here's a tricky question.
Is the pancreas considered an organ or a gland?
An organ?
No, wait.
A gland.
No, wait.
I'm not sure.
Can it be both?
Smarty pants, what do you think?
Is your pancreas an organ or gland or both?
If you said both, you're right.
Yes.
The pancreas is what's known as a glandular organ, as it performs two functions.
One is producing substances to help with digestion, but the other is a bigger, more important job.
You said it, trustee.
Even though your pancreas is a small body part, it has the big job of making insulin.
Glucose from food flows through your blood into cells where it is used for energy, but it can't get into your cells without insulin.
Ah, I didn't know that.
And what happens inside someone who has diabetes?
It depends on what type of diabetes the person has.
Wait, there's more than one type of diabetes?
Yep.
Smarty pants.
How many types of diabetes do you think there are?
Are there A, two types, B, five types, or C, ten types?
If you said A, two types, you're right.
Olivia, can you explain the differences between them?
Yep.
If someone has type 1 diabetes, that means their pancreas doesn't make enough insulin to allow glucose to enter their bloodstream.
If they have type 2 diabetes, that means their body doesn't respond well to the insulin that is made.
Whichever type of diabetes someone has, when the glucose can't get into your cells to deliver energy, the glucose level Wait.
Let's see if the smarty pants can figure it out.
What happens to a person's glucose level if the glucose can't get into the bloodstream?
Any guesses, smarties?
Hey, I think I see a way to demonstrate.
Follow me.
Ooh, good idea, Gia.
This hammer game at the fair demonstrates it perfectly.
Let's pretend hitting a target with the hammer is the same thing as eating.
Go for it, Uncle Trusty!
Okay, here we go.
Wow, you did it!
You rang the bell at the top!
Why do you sound so surprised?
Anyway, as you were saying Olivia, When the glucose in the food you eat doesn't get into your cells, the glucose level in your blood goes up.
Just like the striker in this hammer strength game.
Congratulations, sir.
You win a prize.
Sweet!
What should I pick?
How about that Jonas Brothers t-shirt?
Yeah, the Jonas Brothers are awesome.
But not just for their music.
I appreciate all the work Nick Jonas has done to help people be more aware of diabetes.
Ah, well, in that case, one Jonas Brothers shirt, please.
I don't think we have one in your size.
Nick was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 13.
By then, he was already famous, and not long after his diagnosis, he was back on tour with his brothers, using an insulin pump to manage his blood sugar.
He uses his fame to help people learn about diabetes research and care, and has even written a song about his experience of living with diabetes.
That's awesome!
But I wonder, why does he have diabetes if his brothers don't?
Great question, Gia.
Why is that, Olivia?
No one is really sure why some people have type 1 diabetes.
But scientists think it has something to do with genes.
Really?
Wearing jeans gives you diabetes?
No, not jeans you wear.
Genes, G-E-N-E-S, that are passed on to you by your parents.
Oh, yeah, that makes more sense.
So, type 1 diabetes is passed on through genes.
What about type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes develops slowly.
Older people are usually more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes than kids, although the number of kids with type 2 diabetes is growing.
Since you can't see glucose in your blood, how do you even know if you have diabetes?
Smartypants, do you have any ideas?
We'll reveal the answer right after this quick break.
Now back to Who Smarted?
So, we know a little more about how diabetes affects your body.
What we don't know is how you discover that you have diabetes in the first place.
One symptom kids may notice before being diagnosed as diabetic is being too tired to pay attention in school, even when you're getting enough sleep at night.
Also, if you're feeling really thirsty and need to drink a lot.
And naturally, if you're drinking that much, there's something else you might need to do a lot.
Yeah, that makes sense.
Speaking of, I could use a port-a-potty if you see one.
Ooh, me too.
Me three.
That reminds me, my parents took me to the doctor when they noticed I was excessively thirsty.
Plus, I was too tired to do things I love, like hanging out with friends playing basketball or going on family road trips.
People with diabetes may also feel irritable and be annoyed by things that wouldn't have bothered them before.
Oh, wow.
That's a lot.
It is.
But the good news is that with the right treatment, kids with diabetes like me can feel good and keep having fun.
That's great.
What are some things a doctor can help you with if you have diabetes?
Well, for starters, a doctor or nutritionist can help make a meal plan that's right for you.
Does having a meal plan mean you have to eat the same things all the time?
No, that would be super boring.
It just means I need to stick to healthier options like fruits and vegetables and foods that are low in sugar and fat.
Maybe the fair wasn't the best place to take you?
Maybe not, food-wise.
But I'm more interested in the rides, games, and being with my friends than the food anyway.
Plus, I've got my pickle.
Nice!
What other things are good for kids and adults with diabetes?
Great question, Gia.
Smarty Pants, true or false?
Exercise is good for people with diabetes.
If you said true, you're right.
Even if you don't have diabetes, it's a good idea to get exercise or do physical activity.
Everything from taking walks, dancing, playing sports, or riding your bike helps.
Is there anything special you need to do if you have diabetes and you're going to exercise?
Well, even though you're normally not supposed to eat a lot of sugar, sometimes your blood sugar can drop too low.
So it's a good idea to bring something sweet like a candy bar with you, just in case you need to elevate it.
Wow, who knew a candy bar could come in so handy?
Right, Smarty Pants?
Yeah, but Olivia, how would you know if your blood sugar is too high or too low?
Great question.
There are actually a few ways you can check.
A glucose reader is a machine that tests a drop of blood from your finger to see if your glucose level is too high, too low or just right.
You could also use a continuous glucose monitor, or CGM, which is a device you wear that measures your blood sugar every few minutes.
And some people with diabetes take insulin shots to make sure their blood sugar stays at a healthy level.
Smartypants, where do you think insulin shots put insulin?
Is it A, into your vein, B, into a muscle, or C, just under your skin?
The answer is C, just under the skin.
While it may seem scary or hard to give yourself insulin shots at first, it gets easier over time.
And it's good for keeping you healthy and feeling well enough to have fun.
Speaking of, let's go check out the animals at the petting zoo.
Ooh, that sounds fun.
Aw, they're so cute.
Uncle Trusty, I'm curious.
Can animals also get diabetes?
What do you think, Smarty Pants?
Can animals get diabetes?
Well, as it turns out, animals can get diabetes, just like humans.
That includes diabetic dogs, cats, apes, pigs, horses, and guinea pigs.
Wow.
How long has diabetes been around?
Is it a relatively new thing?
Nope.
Diabetes has been around since ancient times, but it was a much bigger problem before the discovery of insulin.
With treatments, a healthy lifestyle and support from doctors, family and friends.
People with diabetes like me can enjoy happy, healthy lives.
Just not candy apples.
Meh.
They're overrated anyways.
Here you go.
Three candy apples.
Uncle trusty.
Minus the candy.
A big overseas shout out to Griff and Owen in Cardiff, UK.
I hear you love listening before bed.
And Griff, we hear you've been studying fair trade at school and want an episode about it.
Very smarty indeed.
Thanks for learning with us.
This episode Diabetes was written by Sarah Swetik and voiced by Gia Davis, Kierna Conner and Jerry Kolber.
Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hahn.
Who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room Studios.
Our associate producer is Max Kamaski.
The theme song is by Brian Suarez, with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex-Davis.
Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex-Davis and Jerry Kolber.
This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.
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