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Child diabetes, childhood diabetes, juvenile diabetes: these are
all terms used at one time or another to describe the condition we
now call type 1 diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
This condition is usually on early onset type of the disease in
which the body does not produce enough or any insulin. Insulin is
necessary for the body to absorb and use the food that we eat for
growth and energy.
This type of diabetes usually affects children or young adults,
with adults being affected a small percentage of the time. Although
the cause is unknown, it is believed to be genetic and perhaps
somehow related to exposure to some childhood viral infections such
as the virus, which causes mumps, or the Coxsackie’s virus. There is
also some evidence to suggest that environmental toxins may
contribute to this autoimmune attack on the pancreatic cells that
produce insulin.
While the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be similar,
the onset and development of these symptoms is much quicker for
child diabetes. There is increased urination, increased thirst, a
feeling of being tired, unusual weight loss even though there is
increased appetite and consumption of calories, nausea, blurred
vision and some infections.
Treatment of type 1 diabetes takes a great deal of
self-discipline. Constant monitoring of blood sugar levels is
necessary to make sure the proper amount of insulin is injected at
the right intervals. Maintaining a healthy body weight is important,
as is keeping fit with plenty of exercise. Eating a nutritious and
healthy diet based on the recommendations of a nutritionist or
dietician helps in keeping blood sugar levels maintained at normal
levels.
It is important to keep blood levels at normal levels as the
extreme highs and lows are the culprits behind the most severe
damage. High blood sugar levels can contribute to heart problems,
hardening of the arteries and strokes. And because eating right,
exercise and insulin are not always adequate for maintaining normal
levels, regular testing of the blood with a blood glucose monitor is
necessary.
For a child with diabetes, there are some serious challenges
ahead, but with help from family and friends and support from a
diabetes medical team, these challenges can be met and he or she can
live a long, fulfilling life.
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