Symptoms
of Type 1 Diabetes
- Increased
thirst
- Increased
urination
- Increased
hunger
- Weight
loss
- Fatigue
- Flu
like symptoms
- Confusion
- Bedwetting
- particularly if child was previously dry at night
- Fruity
breath odor
Juvenile
Diabetes is believed to be an autoimmune disorder. There is
also a strong hereditary component to juvenile diabetes. Researchers
believe an environmental trigger or virus causes the body
to attack the beta cells in the pancreas. Once these cells
are destroyed the body can no longer produce insulin.
Why
is insulin important?
The
body's primary source of fuel is glucose. Glucose is found
in all plant based foods. Insulin is responsible for transporting
glucose from the blood to the cells. Without insulin, the
body is essentially starving.
Explanation
of juvenile diabetes symptoms
Increased
urination: Since glucose cannot reach the cells, glucose
levels rises in the blood. The kidneys respond by trying to
filter out the extra sugar. Urine production increases. This
is why you see a marked increase in urination as a classic
sign of juvenile diabetes.
Increased
thirst: As the body's urination increases the person becomes
more thirsty.
Important: Parents often think a child is urinating more because
their child is drinking more, when in actuality they are drinking
more because they are urinating more.
Increased
hunger: Children with diabetes often complain of being
hungry. The reason for this is simple. Without glucose reaching
the body cells, their body is not being fed.
Weight
loss: People often associate weight gain with diabetes.
In type 2 diabetes, an overweight person is at greater risk
for diabetes. Type 1 (juvenile diabetes) is different. Children
will often lose weight if they have untreated diabetes. Because
the body is not getting the glucose it needs, rapid weigh
loss may occur.
Treatment
for juvenile diabetes
At
this time, there is no cure for diabetes. The only treatment
for juvenile diabetes is insulin injections or an insulin
pump. Insulin cannot be taken as a pill. Juvenile diabetes
requires daily blood sugar checks (often 4 or more times a
day). Diet and exercise is also a very important componet
in treatment of diabetes.
If
your child has symptoms of diabetes
If
your child has symptoms of juvenile diabetes, it is important
to have your child screened. Unlike type 2 diabetes, juvenile
diabetes has a fairly quick onset and can lead to serious
and deadly consequences if left untreated.
Also
check out our
juvenile diabetes message board 
Visit
our friends at My
Child Has Diabetes - Juvenile Diabetes Resource for Parents
and Children: This site is an excellent resource site for
parents of children with diabetes!
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