“Zach is nine years old. He was born in Newport, Arkansas on June 8, 2000. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in January 2007.  Zach had several febrile seizures as an infant. He spent his first Christmas at Harris Hospital in Newport. He failed kindergarten due to unknown poor eyesight in his first year of school. His poor eyesight has been linked to his diabetes that went undiagnosed for five and a half years. He now has a learning disability that requires a personal tutor. He goes through five to six pairs of glasses a year because of childhood mishaps. We have tried contacts, but they were irritating to his eyes.
He also has been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). We suspect this condition could be the result of five and a half years of type one diabetes that went unchecked. I had initially noticed that he was drinking an unusual amount of fluids, and asked the doctor to check his glucose level. The doctor was hesitant about checking, but with Zach’s maternal and paternal grandmothers having diabetes he went ahead with my suggestion. That day, Zach’s glucose levels was in the upper 600’s, and was immediately sent to Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Most days he has to go with me through the week because of the difficulty of finding a babysitter willing to take on the responsibility of caring for a diabetic child. However there are a few friends willing to take care of him when they can.
Zach’s blood sugar must be monitored constantly. Every time he eats, drinks, or chews anything that has carbohydrates he must check his blood sugar. He can’t have a single candy corn without taking insulin. Any time his blood sugar goes high it has a negative affect on his eyesight. He is close to being legally blind. He misses class time at school because of his blood sugar fluctuating. It is difficult coordinating his breakfast diet during school because we have only had a breakfast menu in the last two months of his second grade. We have no way to know what he has been served without the school giving a daily menu like they do with lunches. The breakfast menu can change without notice like is done with lunches. When Zach was first diagnosed with diabetes, he thought it was cool and fun to check his sugar. He thinks it is boring and repetitive. Now he has calluses and sores on the tips of his fingers. He has the same perspective on taking shots of insulin. We encourage him to calculate the amount of insulin he needs for the carbohydrates he needs and to give himself shots of insulin on a daily basis.
Zach’s peers at school think he is given preferential treatment over them for his illness. He just wants to play and be treated like he doesn’t have a problem. This will never be an option for him. If there is a field trip, I must go or he has to stay home depending on my schedule.
We give Zach insulin every time he consumes carbohydrates. He doesn’t understand the life implications of his condition.  Despite our warnings and trepidations, Zach has a passion for life that is uncharacteristic. He has little or no fear in his actions.”

After hearing Zach’s story I wondered how this site could help him. Zach needs to feel like a normal kid in spite of his disease. We asked Zach for a wish list of things he would like and one of the top things he asked for was a computer of his own. We contacted Nomac Drilling based in Searcy, AR and asked if I could post his story in their National Training Facility. The men and women of Nomac donated generously to help out Zach. In less than 1 week, we raised enough money to buy Zach a new computer. This great outpouring of generosity was from the hard working employees who are facing their own adversity in this economy.

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• Tell me more about juvenile diabetes diets

• Tell me more about juvenile diabetes symptoms

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What About My Children – How Will I Know?
To better help you understand the common signs of juvenile diabetes, please take a minute to imagine the following fictitious, but very possible scenario:
Over the last few months you’ve been noticing that your 11 year old son has been acting a little off-beat. For starters, when arriving from school he’s been running urgently to the bathroom to urinate; whereas normally he runs straight for the television. At dinner time, you’ve noticed that his appetite has increased and he’s been drinking 2 to 3 times more than usual – never seeming satisfied with his regular glass of apple juice. Nothing you should be too concerned about, right?
For most parents, it would be safe to assume that your son is simply growing. He is expending more energy throughout the day, which in turn is leading him to have an increased appetite, thirst and bathroom breaks. These don’t really seem like symptoms of any kind.
Well yesterday afternoon, around lunchtime, you received a call from one of your son’s teachers who expressed their concern surrounding his recent changes in behavior. You initial response was, “has he been going to the bathroom a lot?”
The facilitator paused for a brief moment, slightly confused.
“Mrs. Johnson, your son has been showing signs of difficulty keeping focused and remembering his daily exercises. This morning I asked him to come up front and write down his answer on the chalk board – which he does regularly with little hesitation. He began to write on the board and suddenly became disoriented, seeming to have forgotten the answer or what he was there to do even though the answers were in his hand. I’ve caught him on several occasions sleeping or with his head down. This is not like your son at all and I’m wondering if you know anything about this?”

Causes & Symptoms of Juvenile Diabetes
We’re sure the last thing “Mrs. Johnson” expected when visiting her doctor a month later was that she would be informed that her perfectly healthy – and once vibrant son – has juvenile diabetes. The reality of this example is that every year thousands of parents across the world are given this very same diagnosis, and an estimated 3 million children in America are currently living with juvenile diabetes.
The numbers can seem quite staggering at times.
As a parent you’re probably thinking, “How do I go about identifying juvenile diabetes in my children?” The best way to start is by familiarizing yourself with the more common physical and mental symptoms associated with this disease. Remember: Knowledge is power! Juvenile Diabetes is caused by:

• Lack of adequate and healthy production of insulin

• Reduced sensitivity of insulin caused by glucose

To elaborate a little bit more, let’s take a look at the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland that shares the same part of your body as the liver. The pancreas is full of beta cells which primary responsibility is to assist in the production of insulin. If the beta cells are disrupted or damaged in any way, the liver will stop producing enough insulin. Not enough insulin = increase risk of diabetes; plain and simple.

• Tell me more about juvenile diabetes

Supporting a Child with Juvenile Diabetes
It is no secret that being a parent is a lifelong commitment to the happiness and overall wellbeing of your children. When disease enters a family, it can cause deep rooted emotions to surface leaving you confused, angry and even ashamed. These feelings are normal, and the last thing your child needs is to see you beating yourself down in an attempt to justify things beyond your control.
Here are some tips to help your child cope with juvenile diabetes:

• You home is not a hospital, so don’t treat your child like a patient.

• Referring to your child as “not like the other kids” is very unhealthy. They are just like the rest of the kids, except they have a few extra needs and things to be aware of.

• Their insulin can be called a “magic potion” or “tonic” until they are old enough to understand the details of their disease. The word “medicine” and “sick” should be avoided at all times.

• When it comes to measuring their blood sugar, it’s not about good or bad but rather high or low. Set objectives and make the task of blood sugar monitoring one that is goal oriented.

Children should be treated as equals, despite their special needs. If your child has been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes take this opportunity to bring your family, friends and neighbors closer together. Appreciate the things in life that you once took for granted, and show your children that life has many twists and turns, but as long as you’re together everything will be okay.

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Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1 diabetes) currently affects over 3 million people in the United States alone.   This life threatening disease can manifest very rapidly with symptoms showing within days.   It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the insulin producing cells of pancreas.  Insulin is a hormone that helps the body to process sugar in the foods we eat. Without it, the sugar accumulates in the blood and will eventually begin to damage vital organs in the body. If left untreated, high levels of sugar in the blood can lead to a coma and even death.

Here are some tips you should be aware of when dealing with Juvenile Diabetes.

• As your child’s blood sugar level rises too high the symptoms of juvenile diabetes begin. They might include increased thirst and urination, blurred vision, weight loss, fatigue, flu like symptoms, and confusion.  Do not mistake symptoms you observe with those of other ailments. It can be hard to identify juvenile diabetes symptoms, as they may not appear all at once.  The most common indicators are excessive thirst and frequent urination but there are others that may occur which parents often overlook because of lack of information.
• Look for severe changes in your child’s behavior such as increased aggression or mood swings.  This is due to the increased levels of sugar in their blood.
• Due to the lack of insulin the body will start using fat that is stored in the organs in order to get energy.  You will notice that your child may loose weight even though they are eating very well.  Hunger may persist even though they’ve been eating large amounts of food.
• Consult your child’s pediatrician who should then do a few simple tests to determine the levels of sugar in your child’s blood to confirm the diagnosis.

Juvenile Diabetes is a very serious disease.  It badly affects vital organs such as the kidneys and even the eyes. Identifying the early signs of juvenile diabetes can prevent if not slow down the process of the disease. In reality it can be the difference between keeping and losing your sight. It is therefore imperative to understand your own body and be aware of significant changes that might herald the onset of the disease.

Recognizing Symptoms Can Save A Life

Serveral early signs and symptoms you can look out for include:

1. Frequent thirst and desire of sweet drinks as child suffering from diabetes urinates very often.
2. Unusual urination due to high level of glucose in the blood as when there is high level of sugar in the body kidneys start getting rid of it.
3. Irritability and changes in the behavior.
4. Sudden drop in the weight of the child because body uses fat and proteins for energy in place of glucose.
5. Extreme fatigue and weakness in the child.
6. Changes in the eyesight the child may have blurred vision.
7. Acute symptoms as nausea and vomiting.
8. Increased appetite in the child.
9. In untreated and undiagnosed cases diabetic acidosis is seen also known as diabetic coma.
10. Child may complain of dry mouth and throat
11. Pain in abdomen.
12. In toddlers and infants diaper rashes are seen which are not improved after the application of medicated creams.

You should immediately consult a diabetes specialist if you see these early symptoms in your child.

If you see early symptoms in your child you should immediately consult childhood diabetes specialist as uncontrolled or untreated disease is having lot of complications. Every year in united states 31,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Know the Symptoms

• The need to urinate often. If your child has been potty trained and begins wetting themselves frequently, consider juvenile diabetes as a possibility.
• Extreme thirst and a keen desire for cold drinks that are sweet.
• A need to eat often and complaints of being hungry.
• Eyesight problems such as blurred vision.
• Irritable.
• Child complains of nausea and is vomiting. (Acute symptoms that need immediate attention) Losing weight while continuing to display a healthy appetite.
• Listless, tired, abnormally quiet.
• Falling into a coma. (A life threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention)

It’s not always apparent that a child has type 1 or juvenile diabetes. Some of the symptoms seem like average childhood problems that occur. Nausea and/or vomiting can be misconstrued as the flu. Irritability, being tired and listless may be attributed to behaviors all children exhibit at one time or another. The discovery of juvenile diabetes may happen during a visit to a physician for another ailment such as a vaginal yeast infection for girls or even a routine examination.

Untreated diabetic children may display restless behavior and an apathetic attitude when it comes to school. The inability to focus on tasks at hand leaves them somewhat dysfunctional and frustrated. Rapid, deep breaths that have a fruity odor are another more subtle sign that could easily be overlooked. The behaviors may go unnoticed by parents as symptoms of juvenile diabetes until the child reaches diabetic ketoacidosis. DKA is a serious condition with the body receiving little or no insulin and resulting in energy being produced by the breakdown of fat. This process causes ketones or acids to spill into the blood stream as toxins. One quarter of the children with juvenile diabetes has all ready advanced to the level of diabetic ketoacidosis before seeing a physician or being diagnosed. If the juvenile diabetes continues to go untreated, the child may lapse into a diabetic coma.

A diagnosis is made through blood tests that target glucose levels and urine tests that measure the level of ketones and glucose. The tests are far simpler to read than reading the behaviors of your child and being able to pinpoint them as potential symptoms of juvenile diabetes. With knowledge comes power and by knowing the symptoms parents have the power to begin successful management of type 1 diabetes giving their child the opportunity for as normal a childhood as possible.

1. Lack of adequate production of insulin
2. Reduced sensitivity of insulin by glucose

The former causes juvenile or type 1 diabetes and the latter causes type 2 diabetes or diabetes mellitus.

Juvenile diabetes

Living With Juvenile Diabetes

The pancreas are glands in the body near the digestive system, specifically the liver which secretes insulin. The beta cells in this gland are responsible for this production. Due to some accident or injury if the beta cells are affected or destroyed, the production of insulin is reduced. Moreover if the body is exposed to cell toxins which interfere in the normal functioning of the beta cells, again the insulin production is affected. It is also seen that there are hereditary factors which increase the chances of developing diabetes, type 1 type. This is also called diabetes insipidus.

Symptoms

• Increased urination: Due to the excess glucose content in the blood, the kidney has to function repeatedly with greater pressure in order to filter off the glucose, though many times some glucose concentration is still seen in the urine. This leads to an increased urge to urinate which may cause bed-wetting in children too.
• Increased thirst: Since more water is being excreted from the body in the event of getting rid of body glucose, the body needs to replenish this by drinking more water. Hence, there is a thirst.
• Increased hunger: Since glucose is not used to provide energy, the body requires more nourishment in form of carbohydrates and nutrients to release energy. This causes an increase in hunger.
• Weight loss: Since body fats and proteins in the storehouse are broken down to liberate energy, there is a reduction in weight.
• Mental stress and lack of memory or/and low body mind coordination: The glucose is not able to reach the cells of the brain and liberate energy. This causes a deficit of energy in these sensitive cells and reduced energy supply results in poor functioning of these cells. However, this can be avoided if proper control and management is done.
• Fatigue: The body is struggling for energy and is continuously working for the same, there is an element of tiredness and this is fatigue. Moreover, on account of low body weight , the fatigue becomes severe.
• Flu like symptoms: At times, immunity is also affected by diabetes as every response of the immune function is dependent on energy supply and demand. The lowering immune response gives rise to flu like symptoms.

What can you do for your child?

1. Stop treating your child as a patient. Diabetes is a condition and not a disease. However if not managed it may lead to complications.

2. Don’t differentiate him from his peers. The capabilities and performance should not be benchmarked or compared to others as this would add to stress for your child.

3. The diet plan should be set in association with a dietician by tracking the number of calories and sugar consumed. Some liberties could be given to the child but in consultation with the dietician.

4. Never describe the condition as an inability or illness of your child and help your child take normal insulin. Motivating your child to take the doses referring it as a supplement, or tonic might help initially. But as the child grows, some facts need to be explained on how the insulin helps to energise the kid and function healthily.

5. Normal physical exercise would improve the metabolism of the body. Hence walking, running and swimming would definitely be beneficial as long as they are not strenuous.

6. You need to be very patient with your child and understand the body changes so that you yourself and hen your kid can adapt to it. Regular clinic visits are mandatory

7. The sugar levels in the child’s blood needs to be monitored regularly. Never describe the levels as good or bad but adapt low or high as adjectives.

8. Learn new recipes of bitter gourd, neem and garlic to reduce the sugar levels naturally.

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Juvenile Diabetes is believed to be an autoimmune disorder. There is also a strong hereditary component to juvenile diabetes. Researchers believe an environmental trigger or virus causes the body to attack the beta cells in the pancreas. Once these cells are destroyed the body can no longer produce insulin.

Diabetes is the primary reason for adult blindness, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), gangrene and amputations. Overweight, lack of exercise, family history and stress increases the likelihood of developing diabetes. When blood sugar level is constantly high it leads to kidney failure, cardiovascular problems and neuropathy. Patients with diabetes are 4 times more likely to have coronary heart disease and stroke. In addition, Gestational diabetes is more dangerous for pregnant women and their fetus.

Rapid weight loss is one of the first symptoms of diabetes, especially if the child also has increased hunger, especially after eating. Other Symptoms include: frequent urination; dry mouth; fatigue; blurred vision and numbness or tingling of the hands or feet.

Juvenile diabetes is a chronic health problem for children. There are many myths and misinformation about diabetes. There is also confusion between juvenile diabetes, also known as type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes. The symptoms for both are for the most part the same, however, the cause and treatment is very different.

Juvenile diabetes can affect anyone of any age, but is more common in people under 30 years and tends to develop in childhood. Other names for juvenile diabetes include Type I diabetes and insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Common symptoms of diabetes and, more specifically, on symptoms of juvenile diabetes. Causes of diabetes are discussed, as well as testing and dietary issues.

The risk of juvenile diabetes is higher than virtually all other severe chronic diseases of childhood. Juvenile diabetes tends to run in families. Brothers and sisters of a child with juvenile diabetes have at least 100 times the risk of developing juvenile diabetes as a child in an unaffected family.

The symptoms of juvenile diabetes, also known as Type 1 diabetes, and Type 2 diabetes are extremely similar, but the two are caused by very different bodily malfunctions. It is important to know which type the individual is afflicted with in order to provide the right treatment, which also varies between types.

It’s not always apparent that a child has type 1 or juvenile diabetes. Some of the symptoms seem like average childhood problems that occur. Nausea and/or vomiting can be misconstrued as the flu. Irritability, being tired and listless may be attributed to behaviors all children exhibit at one time or another. The discovery of juvenile diabetes may happen during a visit to a physician for another ailment such as a vaginal yeast infection for girls or even a routine examination.

Juvenile diabetes is the idea that it can be caught from another person. Juvenile diabetes, along with the other types of the disease, is absolutely not a contagious disease. Another misconception about the disease is the traditional belief that eating sweets can directly cause diabetes. In a way, eating too much sweet may eventually cause diabetes because doing so can lead to obesity. But eating sweets does not cause diabetes. Stress is never a cause of juvenile diabetes or any type of diabetes.

Author: james sameul

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Symptoms and Causes of Juvenile Diabetes

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