Juvenile diabetes or diabetes that afflicts children is more commonly known as Type
1 Diabetes. It roughly affects 5% of the global population. It has been linked to
hereditary markers and it strikes suddenly. One’s lifestyle and diet cannot stop its
occurrence; just manage it. There’s no way to prevent this disease and, as of now,
there is no cure.
Type 1 diabetes is a serious autoimmune disease where the pancreas stops
producing insulin. Insulin allows the body to get energy from food. If the cells in
your body don’t get the energy, they won’t be able to perform their bodily tasks and
will eventually die. If multiple cells in one’s body die out like that, entire bodily
systems get severely affected. That’s why it’s crucial that you be aware of the
symptoms of diabetes in children so that you’re able to recognize them early,
thereby managing the adverse effects of Juvenile Diabetes.
One of the earliest signs of diabetes in children is increased urination and thirst.
When blood-sugar in the blood is high, it triggers a hydrophilic reaction in the body
that pulls fluid from tissues. This will leave your child constantly thirsty, resulting in a
frequent urination. Also, get your child examined if he/she is lethargic or is showing
signs of heavy breathing (Kussmaul respiration) or is experiencing unrelated nausea
and vomiting.
When it goes untreated, type 1 diabetes can be life-threatening. If your child is
showing signs of childhood or juvenile diabetes it’s important that you schedule a
doctor’s appointment as soon as possible.
The symptoms you need to look out for include:
Fatigue – If your child is constantly tired, it is a sign of energy deficiency or that that
your child’s body is having trouble turning sugar in the bloodstream into energy.
Changes in vision – High blood sugar levels have been linked to blurred vision and
other eyesight problems as the nerve ending and size of the blood vessels and
capillaries get affected.
Fruity smelling breath – Sugar has a particularly sugary molasses smell. If your
child’s breath smells fruity, it is a result of excessive sugar in the blood.
Extreme hunger and unexplained weight loss – As the insulin production is down,
the organs as well as muscles of your child’s body aren’t receiving enough energy.
Their body, as a result, will trigger extreme hunger/starvation signals (Diabetic
ketoacidosis) until the organs and muscles receive sufficient energy; which won’t
happen until insulin production becomes normal. If you also notice that your child is
eating a sufficient and regular diet and is still losing weight, go to the doctor.
Unusual behaviour – When your body is unwell, you mental health will also be
uneasy. If your child seems more moody or restless than usual and your child is
presenting the aforementioned symptoms, it’s a cause of concern.
In spite of the severity of this disease, there is no cause to believe that it isn’t
manageable. If your child has been diagnosed with Juvenile diabetes or Type 1
diabetes, there are many holistically designed treatments available in the medical as
well as ayurvedic market which will make living with diabetes, not that big an issue
for your child.
The key to good health is to keep your blood sugar levels within the range your
doctor gives you. You’ll need to check them often and adjust insulin, food, and
activities to make that happen.
