Childhood diabetes - a rising concern

Despite what many people believe, diabetes is not a condition that just affects adults. Children can also develop diabetes. In children, diabetes is usually a result of a malfunction in the body that they have no control over. If your child or a child you know suffers from diabetes, know the facts and how to treat it.

Childhood diabetes is typically type 1 diabetes, also called "juvenile diabetes", the condition occurs when the body doesn’t produce any insulin or produces too little insulin to handle the body’s demands. A person with Type 1 diabetes needs to be given insulin on a daily basis. Sadly, the incidence of diabetes type 2 is becoming more common in children. Those with a family history of this form of diabetes are at higher risk of developing the

disease, however, it is a disease which is typically linked with lack of exercise, poor eating habits and obesity.

What Is Insulin?

Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the body by cells in the pancreas. It is produced in response to the level of glucose, or sugar, in

the blood. The insulin directs the glucose to organs that need it as fuel for metabolism within their cells and also stores excess glucose in other parts of the body in order to regulate the amount left in the blood.

Without the insulin, the level of glucose in the blood gets to be too high. Damage is done to the organs that come in contact with the high glucose levels and also the organs that don’t receive their glucose fuel.

Typical symptoms

In a child there are several symptoms you may notice which might indicate that there could be an insulin problem. Children may exhibit extreme thirst, fatigue, headaches, frequent urination, weight loss or behavioral issues. At that point, you should take your child to the doctor for tests.

One way to know beyond the above symptoms is through urinalysis. In the urine, the presence of ketones is a giveaway that the child probably suffers from diabetes. Ketones
are secreted as a by-product when the body uses fat to fuel its metabolic processes
instead of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates break down into the simple sugars, namely glucose.

How to treat childhood diabetes.

Children with diabetes can live full lives. They do not have to be limited in their activities as long as their diabetes is managed well. The first line of management is insulin. A child with juvenile diabetes needs insulin every day. The doctor will tell you how to administer the insulin, the dosage and what type to use.

A glucose meter is next used to monitor blood sugar levels throughout the day. Initially meters were used on fingertips and it was quite painful. New meter systems can be used on the arm and use smaller amounts of blood. Once a child learns they can quickly test their blood sugar and continue with their day.

It is extremely important that parents monitor the diet of a child with diabetes. What they should eat is similar to a healthy diet that anyone would consume. It is essential that they consume a balance of fruits, vegetables, beans, and lean meats. Meal times are more rigid so that the blood sugar doesn’t dip too low or spike too high and it is usually advised that they consume healthy snacks between meals to help regulate their sugar levels. If unsure what to advise, a naturopath can offer great suggestions for meals and give a more specific list of foods to avoid and include.

Regular physical activity is vital for children with type 1 and especially type 2 diabetes. Getting children involved in teams sports or encouraging family activities is a great way of helping them to become more active.

As a parent, a diabetes diagnosis for your child can be crushing. But, the more you learn about the condition and treatment, the more you can empower yourself and your child to overcome it and continue with life