Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes
Millions of children in America have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes also known as juvenile diabetes. According to studies, over 15,000 children are diagnosed each year with type 1 diabetes. A lifelong disease that happens when the body’s pancreas is unable to produce insulin to control blood sugar levels. Because it is a disorder of the body’s immune system, it affects the body from protecting itself from viruses, bacteria and other foreign substances. Although most diagnosis of type 1 juvenile diabetes happens during childhood, adults have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as well.
Cause of Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which there is no cure. When the body’s immune system attacks and destroy beta cells in the pancreas. Beta cells are essential in producing insulin, a hormone that helps the body move the glucose (body sugar) contained in food to the cells which is then created to energy.
But because the body is destroying the beta cells, it prevents the body from effectively creating insulin and instead of glucose going into the cells, glucose stays in the blood and without any treatment, this can lead to serious damage to the body’s organs.
So, many children who are diagnosed with type 1 juvenile diabetes must take insulin to stay alive. This includes getting multiple injections each day (or pumped), testing their blood sugar by pricking their fingers several times a day and having to watch their food intake and exercise to regulate their blood sugar levels.
By regulating their blood sugar level, it will help prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in the body.
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
Symptoms of type 1 juvenile diabetes includes extreme hunger, extreme thirst, frequent urination, drowsiness or being lethargic, changes in vision, sores that heal slowly, having dry or itchy skin, losing feeling in the feet or having tingling I the feet, rapid weight loss and a sweet or wine-like odor in the breath and difficulties breathing.
If you feel that you have these symptoms, it is important to visit a physician and have a blood test to show if you have diabetes. If you do, you will need to take insulin for the rest of your live.
Complications from type 1 diabetes include heart disease (due to poor circulation), kidney disease (diabetes can damage the kidneys and prevent kidneys to filter waste in the body), eye complications (and even blindness), gum disease (due to bacteria in the mouth), neuropathy and nerve damage, foot complications (which can be due to nerve damage in the feet), skin complications, gastroparesis and depression.
Dealing with Type 1 Diabetes
Many children have learned to deal with their diabetes. Because it is life threatening, it is important for children to receive the education early to deal with diabetes and learn to manage it.
It requires constant attention and multiple injections, multiple blood tests and knowing that insulin does not cure juvenile diabetes. Insulin is what helps them stay alive.
But it doesn’t mean that you can’t live a productive life. Many people with type 1 diabetes have learned to try and managed it to the best of their ability.
But it all starts with being diagnosed and if you have symptoms of type 1 diabetes, it is very important to get checked by your physician immediately and get treatment and also know that insulin must be taken not just for that day but for the rest of your life.
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