Singer Usher Raymond says the past 12 months have been the hardest for him. The 34-year-old crooner recently lost his grandmother, and one of his sons was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.
Usher revealed his son's diagnosis during an appearance on the "TODAY Show" this week. The singer didn't reveal which of his sons is diabetic. He has two sons -- Usher Raymond V, 6, and Naviyd David, 5, -- with ex-wife Tameka Raymond.
“This year has been really one of my hardest years – I lost my grandmother, my son was diagnosed as being a type one diabetic. It has definitely been a difficult one for me, man.”
Type I diabetes is caused by the lack of insulin production by the pancreas. A lack of insulin production can lead to dangerously high levels of blood sugar, which can cause diabetic coma and death.
Diabetes I requires insulin injections for life to keep blood sugar within the normal range (or as close to normal as possible).
Usher said he monitors his son's diet carefully to make sure he's eating the right foods to control his high blood sugar.
He said even when he's working on the set of "The Voice" he's online tracking the carbohydrate content of his son's food.
“Sometimes you’re looking at me and we’re off camera, and I’m online looking at numbers, trying to make sure he’s eating properly. It’s crazy.”
Diabetes can lead to organ failure and even death if not monitored very carefully. But older children can be taught to monitor their own blood sugar levels and self-administer insulin injections.
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