Juvenile Diabetes Information
Juvenile diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition that is caused by the body’s lack of breaking down the glucose and storing it properly. Insulin is a natural hormone produced by the body to convert food into energy (the glucose from the foods) and allows the body to function properly. The diabetes then leads to other health related problems. Juvenile diabetes affects over 120 million children worldwide. There are over 5 million children with diabetes that are not diagnosed.
There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 is called Juvenile Diabetes since it usually begins during childhood. The children with Type 1 are insulin dependent for their treatment. Research indicates juvenile diabetes is an auto-immune disorder such as multiple sclerosis. Some of the children with Type 1 develop thyroid problems due to the diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes usually occurs with adults yet there are cases of juveniles having this form of diabetes as well. People with Type 2 diabetes do not always need insulin to treat the disease. In place of the insulin, the people can control the diabetes with a healthy diet and proper exercise.
Some of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are excessive thirst, frequent urination, irritability, vomiting or nausea, chronic weakness or fatigue, blurred vision, and exaggerated hunger. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are itchiness, tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, and legs, frequent sores that do not heal, fatigue, constant urination, and blurred vision.
With Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is not creating insulin. Without the natural hormone the body cannot metabolize the glucose produced from food that is consumed and turned into energy. Insulin then becomes needed to replace what the individual’s body is not producing.
Many juveniles need to administer the insulin through injections four or five times a day to maintain the correct levels of insulin in their bodies. For milder cases of diabetes, the alternative to the injections of insulin include an oral medication as well as a healthy diet and regular exercise.
The fact that many children have juvenile diabetes can still have an active and productive life if they have their disease diagnoses and receive treatment.