Diabetes in Children
In America, every day thirty-five children are diagnosed for Type I diabetes. Children also affected by Type I diabetes therefore; it is called as 'Juvenile diabetes' diabetes. Type II diabetes affects Eighty-five percent of patients are above the age of sixteen. Ninety percent of the patients suffer from juvenile diabetes are below sixteen.
Pancreas produces insulin that minimizes and controls blood sugar level. Type I diabetes is caused due to absence of insulin in the body. Type I diabetes could be harmful, if precautions are not taken.
Symptoms of diabetes in children
- Bed-wetting and thirst are the early symptoms of the diabetes
- Slow development of child as compared to normal children
- Wake slowly
- Very lazy attitude
- Pain in abdomen
- Dehydration and vomiting
- Diabetic child becomes susceptible to different respiratory infections
- Weight loss
- Level of toxins increase in the blood
- Dry tongue and skin
- Breathe smells sweet
- Low blood pressure
- Slow pulse rate
- Sometimes child becomes unconscious
- Child feels drowsy and tired
Causes of diabetes
- Pancreas stops producing insulin hormone. In the blood, glucose is break down by insulin.
- When immune system attacks the insulin producing cells of pancreas, then the child suffers from Type I diabetes
- Overweight child
- Loss of exercise in children
- Diet with high carbohydrates
- Mostly, children like to eat sweets and chocolates, this can enhance blood sugar level
- Diabetes can transfer form one generation to the next
- It is studied that children with diabetes live for longer period than adult diabetes patient
If your child is diabetic
- If the child shows above symptoms, then confirm diabetes by blood testing
- At the beginning, the child is treated by insulin
- Insulin is not available orally, therefore it is injected intravenously
- Regular check up
- Buy sugar testing equipment at home
Treatment
Treatments are provided, according to the sugar level. If the level of the sugar is lower than normal, this condition is called as hypoglycemia. In ketoacidosis, the level of the sugar is high. According to high or low level of the sugar level treatment is given to the patient.
Hypoglycemia
- Sugar in any form given to the child
- For convenience, sugary tablets are given
- Allow him/her to eat sweet candies
- Hospitalize the diabetic child, if sugar level falls very low
Ketoacidosis
- diet should be managed under guidance of dietitian
- Less amount of carbohydrate in the diet
- To control sugar level insulin treatment is given by injecting intravenously
- Exercise
- Regular monitoring of sugar level
Diabetes in children can be controlled successfully. As compared to adults, children can adjust their diet very easily. Change in food habit, exercise, and proper treatment will cure the disease.
