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Dealing With Juvenile DiabetesHelpful Information About this Childhood Disease
Arm yourself with information about juvenile diabetes to better help your child deal with the disease.
Juvenile diabetes is a serious medical condition that can affect children and even adults (less often). It is a metabolic disorder caused by the body's inability to control sugar levels. You will often hear juvenile diabetes referred to as Type 1. Understanding Type 1 DiabetesChildren are usually diagnosed with Type 1. This type of diabetes is not caused by poor diet or weight gain, as is the case for Type 2 diabetes. Juvenile diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to process sugar because the pancreas does not produce the insulin it should. This can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can cause high and low blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes happens suddenly, and continues to progress as time goes on, whereas Type 2 diabetes progresses over time due mainly to an unhealthy lifestyle. Symptoms of Type 1 DiabetesIf your child is exhibiting signs of diabetes, it is important to see a doctor for an appropriate diagnosis. Your child may have to urinate frequently, may feel hungry all the time despite losing weight, and may have headaches and feel lightheaded. These are signs that you need to make a doctor’s appointment. Once your child is diagnosed, you will have to teach yourself how to control your child’s diabetes and you will have to teach your child. Controlling Juvenile DiabetesThe good news is that even very young children can learn how to control their diabetes. With a parents' help, she will learn that the way she feels can mean her blood sugar levels are spiking or lowering. She will also learn the types of foods she can eat, and which ones she should avoid at certain times. She will learn how to use her insulin pump or how to administer her own insulin shots, as she gets older. The hardest part of helping your child deal with diabetes is teaching your child how to eat. You will have to start focusing on healthy choices, and will have to avoid refined products such as white bread and baked goods, as well as products that are laden with sugar. Colas with sugar should also be avoided. One way you can help your child learn what to eat is to teach your child to read labels. Even young children can learn how to find out how many sugar grams are in foods. It may take a while, but you will learn how much sugar your child can safely eat each day. Something else that will help your child is educating her friends and caregivers about the condition. If your child spends time away from home, it is important that the teachers and others caring for her know about possible complications, and know how to help your child if needed. These individuals should understand the types of foods that your child can eat, and have some snacks on hand in case of emergency drops or spikes in her blood sugar. Once you have educated yourself and your child, life will become much easier. Juvenile diabetes is easily manageable, and kids are able to learn how to take of their disease. There are many books in the library that can help educate her on the condition. The best advice will come from your child's pediatrician or pediatric endocronologist (who deals specifically with diabetes patients). Note: This information is not intended to be medical advice. It is an informational article only. Always consult your child's doctor for the latest and greatest medical advice and treatments for children's diabetes.
The copyright of the article Dealing With Juvenile Diabetes in Diabetes Diagnosis is owned by Denise Oliveri. Permission to republish Dealing With Juvenile Diabetes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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