Juvenile Diabetes in Children
Juvenile Diabetes is a chronically progressive disease that affects five to ten percent of all diabetics and is usually diagnosed between the ages 7 and 20. Juvenile Diabetes is incurable, but treatable. Therefore, it is important to understand this condition in order to prevent complications and to live a long, healthy life.
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Significance
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The body does not produce the hormone, insulin, which is needed to transfer energy (glucose) from food to the cells. The body must have insulin to live.
Symptoms
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When the body cannot get the energy it needs from food, it believes it is starving and causes symptoms including increased hunger, increased thirst, increased urination, a sudden and unexplained weight loss, lethargy, irritability, and blurry vision.
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Cause
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According to the American Diabetes Association, Juvenile Diabetes (Type I) is an autoimmune disorder. This means that the body is attacking the cells that produce insulin. This disorder has a strong genetic component.
Diagnosis
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Your health care provider will diagnose Juvenile Diabetes based on symptoms and blood tests. The ADA guidelines state a Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) of greater than 126 is needed for diagnosis.
Treatment
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Juvenile Diabetics must have daily insulin injections. Diet and exercise play a crucial role in treatment also. The ADA says that no food is "off limits" as long as it is a part of a healthy diet.
Education
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In order to live a healthy life, the Juvenile Diabetic must be educated about his diabetes. This includes learning how to manage the disease, its symptoms, treatment, complications, and research. He should know that he is not alone and should connect with other diabetics who know what he is going through.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Diabetic Hampers, June 2007
