"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. Type 1 diabetes in children is due to the destruction of auto immune system and dysfunction caused by B-cells. Children whose mothers get gestational diabetes have higher chances of getting diabetes for themselves.
Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in children and young adults include: polyuria and diabetic ketoacidosis. Type 2 diabetes is on the rise in young children and adolescents due to the sedentary lifestyles, fatty food habits and obesity. Young girls usually develop type 2 diabetes in puberty due to rising hormones and uncontrolled sugar levels. Severe hypoglycemia is very common in young children because of their metabolism and growing needs.
Psychological disorders are more common with any type of diabetes because of lifestyle adjustment with the diagnosis. Children often develop manipulative behaviors in order to avoid insulin intake, to skip medications or overdose themselves with insulin.
Symptoms of juvenile diabetes for type 2 may occur suddenly and it is often dangerous if overlooked. These include frequent urination, extreme thirst, increased hunger, weight loss in a growing period, fatigue, flu-like symptoms due to overlooked infections, fruity breath odor when body breaks down and releases acetone and ketone bodies, and/or bed wetting.
Diagnosis usually is done with:
Urine test to detect glucose and ketone bodies.
Blood test to determine the amount of sugars
Glucose tolerance test to determine the body's ability to process glucose which is measured three hours after drinking a concentrated sugar solution.
Fasting blood sugars, usually taken 10-12 hours after dinner early in the morning before breakfast.
Parents play a very important role in the lives of young children and juvenile diabetics. In order to help their children maintain healthy and complication-free lives parents must first learn to accept their children's condition. They have to first train themselves and other family members in learning about different foods, nutrition facts, giving insulin injections or helping the children give injections to themselves. They need to learn to train themselves and the child to monitor sugar levels. Stress management is extremely important in young children growing up with type1 diabetes and juvenile diabetes. With peer pressure for trying out different types of foods, being different from others, and sympathetic gestures from friends, a child suffers from low self esteem and self image. Parents with diabetic children should encourage them to participate in social and physical activities. Counseling for parents and children is vital in maintaining stress levels and healthy lifestyle. Parents and other members of the family should take active roles in guiding a child through different foods and be patient in answering questions regarding different health issues. Family and friends should be supportive through difficult periods. Diabetic educators, counselors, family doctors could be reached for advise in situations where a parent is concerned how to handle a diabetic child under stress. Teacher and nurses at school should be made aware of a child's diabetic needs such as timings of insulin injections, medication doses, possible reactions, mood swings, and performance during periods of stress. Emergency contact numbers including physicians, hospital numbers, and insurance information should be given to school authorities as well as all family members and at least two close family friends in case of emergencies should be added.
Growing up with diabetes is a constant struggle for children as well as adolescents. With continuous monitoring, physical activities, good eating habits, and medications including insulin injections, it could really help improve and maintain a child's health and life. Parents with diabetic children could help other parents with newly diagnosed diabetic children make a lifestyle transition, because 'OUR LIFE MATTERS'