Woman, 20, with Type 1 diabetes who refused insulin injections because she ‘didn’t do needles’ dies
A YOUNG woman who refused diabetes treatment because she "didn't do needles" has died after slipping into a suspected diabetic coma.
Natasha Horne, 20, would not take insulin injections for her Type 1 diabetes and hid the condition from her pals.
The former prom queen, from Middlesbrough, even refused to follow doctors orders or to wear an ID bracelet.
Her devastated parents, Jackie, 43, and Stephen, 44, even claimed she was proud of the sudden weight-loss, which ended up being a symptom of her diabetes.
Jackie said: "She lost around half her body weight in two to three months.
"And she went from a size 22 to a size 10 in six months but she didn't see it as wrong."
Despite having tattoos, Natasha was terrified of needles.
Jackie added: "She was stubborn. If she didn't want to do something, she wouldn't do it."
Her parents are now campaigning to raise awareness of the signs of diabetes.
Natasha, a pharmacy manager, suffered weight loss, excessive thirst and frequently went to the toilet in the night.
AN INCURABLE, LIFE-LONG CONDITION
TYPE 1 diabetes is a life-long condition where a person's blood sugar level is too high - because their body can't make the hormone insulin.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 has nothing to do with diet and lifestyle.
It just happens, and scientists still don't really know why.
When you have type 1 diabetes, your body attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin.
It means the pancreas can no longer make the hormone.
We all need insulin to survive.
It plays a vital role, acting as the key to unlock the energy and fuel in our food - glucose.
When you have type 1, your body breaks down carbohydrates from food and drink, turning it into glucose (sugar).
But when the glucose enters the bloodstream there is no insulin to help it enter the body's cells.
Without a way to get into the cells, it builds up in the bloodstream, causing high sugar levels.
What are the symptoms?
Peeing a lot can be a sign you have type 1 diabetes.
The body tries to get rid of the extra glucose through your kidneys, and it makes you wee a lot.
That then triggers another symptom, an extreme thirst.
And because no glucose (fuel) can get into your cells, you will feel really tired too - and you might lose weight suddenly.
Symptoms can come on quickly - over just a few days or weeks.
If you're worried see a doctor asap.
How is it managed?
If you have type 1 diabetes, you have to get insulin into your body - either by injecting it, or using an insulin pump.
Sufferers also have to check their blood sugar levels at regular points throughout the day, to determine how much insulin they need to take and when.
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She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on October 16 last year.
Natasha died after a suspected diabetic coma as she slept at a friend's house on Saturday.
The family desperately tried to get her to take insulin.
Jackie said: "But she was 20 - she'd passed the legal age, so it was all on her.
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"We didn't get the phone calls or letters to say she was missing medical appointments.
"And apart from physically pinning her down, we couldn't do any more to get her to take it."
She added: "She thought she was invincible - she lived life her way."
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