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Juvenile diabetes
From CopperWiki
Juvenile diabetes mellitus or insulin dependant diabetes is now more commonly called Type 1 diabetes. It is a syndrome with disordered metabolism and inappropriately high blood glucose levels due to a deficiency of insulin secretion in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar (glucose), starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
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[edit] Why should I be aware of it?
Juvenile diabetes tends to run in families. Brothers and sisters of a child with juvenile diabetes have at least 100 times the risk of developing juvenile diabetes as a child in an unaffected family.[1] Gene play a major role in juvenile diabetes or type 1 diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
It is important to know and recogonise early symptoms of this form of diabetes. Left untreated or undiagnosed, juvenile diabetes may cause untold damage to body organs. It could lead to -
- Diabetic retinopathy (diabetes eye disease) and possible blindness
- Increased risk of heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery obstruction
- Foot ulcers
- Impotence (erectile dysfunction (men), vaginal dryness (female))
- Kidney failure
[edit] All about juvenile diabetes
[edit] Early warning signs
Here is a checklist the earliest warning signs of type 1 diabetes--
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
- Sudden vision changes
- Sugar in urine
- Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath
- Increased appetite
- Sudden weight loss
- Drowsiness, lethargy
- Heavy, labored breathing
- Stupor, unconsciousness
[edit] Diagnosis
Juvenile diabetes is diagnosed by a fasting blood sugar test which involves fasting overnight and blood being drawn the next morning. The glycohemoglobin test reflects the cumulative effects of high blood glucose (and measures the degree of control over blood glucose after treatment begins).
A urine sample will be tested for glucose and ketones (acids that collect in the blood and urine when the body uses fat instead of glucose for energy). A blood test is used to measure the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. A glucose-tolerance test checks the body's ability to process glucose. During this test, sugar levels in the blood and urine are monitored for 3 hours after drinking a large dose of sugar solution.
[edit] Risk factors
- The risk of juvenile diabetes is higher than virtually all other severe chronic diseases of childhood. Juvenile diabetes tends to run in families. Brothers and sisters of a child with juvenile diabetes have at least 100 times the risk of developing juvenile diabetes as a child in an unaffected family.
- Ninety percent of children who develop type 1 diabetes actually have no relative with the disease. Thanks to studies of families, researchers now can identify at birth when a baby carries some of the genes that indicate risk factors for type 1 diabetes. Certain genes called HLA markers are associated with diabetes risk. If a child is born with such markers, his or her risk of developing type 1 diabetes is about the same as if he or she had a sibling with type 1 diabetes, even though no other family member may have the disease.[2]
- The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes) is still unclear. However, it is believed that Type 1 diabetes results from an infectious or toxic insult to persons whose immune system is genetically predisposed to develop an aggressive autoimmune response either against altered pancreatic B antigens (proteins) or against molecules of the B cell resembling a viral protein (called molecular mimicry). It is not caused by obesity or by eating excessive sugar.
[edit] What can I do about it?
[edit] Treating juvenile diabetes
The treatment of Type 1 diabetes involves:
- Diet modifications (reduced consumption of sugar and foods that turn into sugar upon digestion)
- Insulin
- Self-monitoring of blood glucose
- Exercise
[edit] Tips for families with diabetic children
A diagnosis of diabetes can send shock waves through the entire family. However, with time, the emotions and grief generated by the diagnosis will reduce, and caring for the diabetic child will simply become a part of family life. The key to doing this successfully is to ensure that s/he does not feel any different fom the rest of the fsmily, or his/her peers. Here are some tips --
- Choose the same healthy foods as the child with diabetes has to eat -- fruits and vegetables; whole grain breads; and low-fat meats, milk, and cheese.
- Keep a choice of healthy snacks in the house instead of cookies, cake, candy, or regular soda.
- Get everyone moving by being more physically active. Play hard. Shoot hoops, throw a ball, ride bikes, or go for a walk — together. Being active can also help you relax and lower stress.
- Every disease has its highs and lows. Although it is easier said than done, celebrating the highs might make the lows easier to bear.
- Read up and learn to recognise all the danger signs of juvenile diabetes.
- Keep the diabetes doctor/caregiver/nurse's numbers in a prominent place in the house, as well as in a clear folder that your child can carry all the time, for easy access in case of emergency.
[edit] Planning a diet for a diabetic child
Fat restriction is very important for those with type 1 diabetes because high cholesterol and diabetes are two of the four risk factors for developing heart disease. Some tips:
- Don't fry foods - bake, broil, poach, or sauté in non-stick pans.
- Steam or microwave vegetables.
- Make ice cream, butter, and whole milk cheese an occasional treat.
- Eat less high-fat red meat and more low-fat turkey, fish, and chicken with the skin removed before cooking.
- Avoid refined sugar, or at least limit its use. Several kinds of artificial sweeteners are available, but talk to your doctor or dietitian about them.
- Restrict salt (sodium), which can raise blood pressure. This is particularly important for people with type 1 diabetes - as is anything that threatens the circulatory system.
- Replace diets high in animal protein with meals high in complex carbohydrates, which are starches found in breads, cereals, starchy vegetables, legumes, rice, and pastas.
- Choose whole-grain cereals, breads, and other products such as brown rice, kasha, bulgur, and barley.
- Eat fresh vegetables and fruits, unpeeled. Avoid overcooking vegetables.
[edit] CopperBytes
- On average, the current life expectancy of a child with type 1 diabetes is shortened by 7-10 years, but this number has been trending down in recent years with advances in technology and treatment options.[2]
