Childhood diabetes

September 12, 2008

Type 1 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes found in teenagers and children.Also known as insulin dependent diabetes, type 1 diabetes is found in 90 to 95% of all children and teens with diabetes.Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease characterized by the body’s immune system attacking its own insulin producing pancreas beta cells. Type 1 and 2 diabetes prevalence in children and teens has gone up drastically in the last 30 years. ADA research says the reason for this is the increase in obesity rate of children due to unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices.

However since Type 1 diabetes itself isn’t caused by obesity the ADA researchers say it is caused by a series of environmental and genetic triggers.Sometimes without even a family history of diabetes. Symptoms in children and adults are much the same. They include extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, lethargy, and weight loss. The symptoms more typical for a child to have include stomach aches, headaches, and behavioral changes and problems.
Insulin treatment is needed in most cases with childhood diabetes. Lower doses at first but as the child gets older more is needed eventually leading to continuous insulin pumps.
Blood glucose levels should be monitored closely in order to prevent hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Both the parent and the child should learn how to administer insulin injections so in case one of them is unable to administer the injection the other will be able to do it for them.
Both the parent and the child should also know how to monitor blood sugar, and friends,family, and teachers should know about the conditon.
As far as diet is concerned the child should eat every 3 hours;3 large meals per day and the time in between small snacks.Good carbohydrates are vitally important.
Carbs like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, whole grain breakfast cereal, popcorn, oat nut bread, potato bread, legumes, and potatoes are good carbs. Try to focuse on maintaining a low protein, low fat, high fiber diet. Children can have sweets/desserts twice week. So sugar is still okay but in moderation. Try asking your doctor about a natural healthy sugar substitute called stevia. I’ve tried it myself, and it tastes just like regular sugar just without the bad after effects.
Exercise is another requirement for children and adults with diabetes. keep up regular physical activity at least once a day for 45 minutes to an hour.Parents can get their kids to exercise more often by doing fun family activities like playing a game, hiking, swimming, jogging, walking or anything else.

In order to keep your child healthy in the long run and prevent complications from occurring proper diet, nutrition, and exercise are a requisite. If the disease is not properly treated and managed complications can and will occur and are more likely to occur the longer someone has diabetes. Diabetic supplements might help as well in the prevention and treatment of the disease and its complications. They can do many different things ranging from increased insulin production to increased circulation in the limbs. They are slow but over time very effective. The Complications that can occur include, blindness, blurred vision, amputation due to lost circulation, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, nerve damage, heart disease, kidney damage and failure, and skin problems.