Childhood and Juvenile Diabetes
"You know that little boy takes insulin every day and watch what he eats?" I looked in the direction where my sister was pointing. He was four or five years old, full of energy, cute and playful. We were sitting in the gold shop where we shopped for our jewelry for years. This little boy belonged to the son of the owner. I had seen him as a toddler when I visited India last time. He is now quite grown up since I saw him. He looked like he would be taller than his father and grandfather and much fairer. "Just imagine how his life will be looking constantly for what he needs to eat and taking shots every single day" my sister exclaimed. I felt sad with this news. My enthusiasm and excitement for buying new jewelry wore out. I simply could not imagine this little boy with the burdens of this disease. My heart ached for him.
Diabetes results when there is a lack of production or insufficient supply of insulin in the human body. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas in order to convert sugars and starches into energy and supply to all parts of the body through the blood. Constant high levels of blood sugars result in diabetes mellitus. While insulin aids in the balance of blood sugar levels in the body, glucagon causes the liver to release glucose into the blood stream when energy is needed.
Normal human blood sugars are read as :
70 - 110mg/dl
Hypoglycemia occurs when the blood sugars go under 70mg/dl. Hyperglycemia results from the readings above 110mg/dl.
Complications from uncontrolled diabetes in adults include blindness, renal impairment, gangrene or infection of the feet and other body parts, amputations, and heart disease, among others.
Juvenile diabetes occurs as a result of environment--typically a virus that affects the beta cell functions in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes is the most common type that occurs in the young children, adolescents as well as newborn babies. This is caused mostly by infection or toxins and it is predisposed autoimmune disorder.
Children with siblings who have diabetes are more prone to getting it early in age. In these cases heredity plays a more major role than any infections.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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