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.

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.

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

There appear to be two main reasons for this increase in Type 2 diabetes among children. Most children these days have a sedentary lifestyle that revolves around watching TV, playing video games, or using their computer to chat with and email their friends. The second issue for many kids is their poor eating habits and nutrition. Living the fast food life style or eating a bag a chips while playing video games is one of the major reasons for the preponderance of overweight kids we see today.

For many years Type 2 diabetes was something that overweight adults had to contend with, mainly because children weren’t having the weight issues they have today. Type 2 diabetes in an adult is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes. The primary treatment for this type of this disease is lifestyle changes involving diet and exercise for both children and adults.

One of the main concerns with type 2 juvenile diabetes is the affects it can have later on in a child’s life. Children with type 2 diabetes have been found to have more life threatening complications than type 1 diabetics. Some of the major problems juveniles with this type of diabetes face include heart disease, damage to the nervous system, renal failure, blindness, and limb amputations, particularly of the feet and lower legs.

The first line of defense against juvenile type 2 diabetes is probably the most obvious. Maintain a healthy body weight through proper diet and exercise thus preventing the onset of the disease. For children already diagnosed this same treatment applies if they are to avoid the complications to their health later in life.

For the juvenile diabetic a healthy diet is the cornerstone of their treatment. A well balanced diet low in sugar, saturated fats, and salt is the way to go. High fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables, along with complex carbohydrates are best for the diabetic. Even then foods high in carbs should be eaten throughout the day to help prevent large rises in blood glucose levels. Regular physical activity or exercise is also recommended to help insulin move glucose out of the blood and into the cells.

Childhood obesity is an epidemic all parents should take seriously. The long term health affects of all children are at stake, particularly with an increased risk of juvenile diabetes, a disease that will affect any child for their life time. By making easy lifestyle changes centered on a healthy diet and physical activity the onset of type 2 diabetes can be prevented, or even delayed in children at high risk.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Obesity Epidemic and Juvenile Diabetes