Juvenile Diabetes, or type-1 diabetes, is a condition wherein the body produces insufficient or inferior insulin because the immune system destroys the beta cells in charge of making the insulin. Type-1 Diabetes usually targets those who are under 20 years of age — the young adults and children. Worried? Have a self-check if you are having the Juvenile Diabetes Symptoms.
History
Diabetes, is from the greek word meaning “siphon” or to pass through and “mellitus” meaning honeyed or sweet. Diabetes occurs when there is an excess sugar found in the blood thereby making the cells hungry for glucose.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (Juvenile Diabetes or Insulin-Dependent Diabetes) occurs in younger ages and these patients lack the hormone “insulin” and needs to have the external administration of the said hormone to be treated regularly. They are those who acquire childhood diabetes symptoms.
Meanwhile, type 2 Diabetes otherwise known as Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes, are being suffered by those persons who cannot produce enough insulin to meet the body’s demand. More people are affected by type-2 Diabetes nowadays. Type 1 Diabetes develops faster, which only takes weeks, sometimes even days, to penetrate the body while type 2 Diabetes is gradually developing.
Juvenile Diabetes Symptoms
Child Diabetes Symptoms are primarily:
- Heavy thirst (Polydipsia)
- Hunger even after eating (Polyphagia)
- Frequent urination (Polyuria)
Other symptoms enumerated by the patients were:
- Weight and muscle bulk loss
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
Some of the Pre-Diabetic Symptoms, when present, needs an immediate care:
- Shaking
- Confusion
- Rapid breathing
- Fruity smell of breath
- Pain in the belly
In rare cases, loss of consciousness is also considered.
Insulin
Insulin is the hormone needed by the body to distribute and regulate sugar in our system. After eating, food is being broken down into crumbs, turning it into glucose and carbohydrates which is being utilized by the body as a source of energy. When there is lack of insulin, the glucose gets stuck, is stored in the blood, and makes the cells hungry for sugar. It regulates how much glucose is in the blood. Insulin is also the one in charge of stimulating the liver to absorb and store excess glucose in the blood.
When there is insulin to regulate glucose, another hormone is being produced to do the exact opposite of absorbing which is releasing of glucose if necessary as per the need of the body.
Body with Diabetes
Diabetes type-1 which is caused by the lack of insulin results to high blood glucose. The excess glucose found in our bloodstream makes the body fragile and riskier of diseases in the eye, heart, kidney and nerve.
If not treated immediately, pre-diabetes symptoms can lead to stroke, blindness, and sometimes, impotency.
Diabetes gangrene and infection of body parts especially in the lower limbs, are common in persons who already have uncontrollable diabetes.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis can also be a resort of neglected Juvenile Diabetes Symptoms. If your body can’t get enough glucose for fuel, it will break down fat cells just to cope with the body’s demand for energy sources. This then create chemicals called ketones. When your liver already tries to help and releases the sugar it stores but still your body can’t use it without insulin, it builds up in your blood along with the acidic ketones. The combination of more amount of glucose, acid buildup, and dehydration is known as “ketoacidosis” and can be deadly if not cure immediately.
Diabetes in Environment
Diabetes type 1 is a type of condition wherein no doctor can pinpoint where it is and what triggered it. The only thing they are sure about is that genes have a big factor in the patients.
Environment sometimes also play a role because of the “autoantibodies” acquired from surroundings. These acts like a virus and send a signal attacking the body’s pancreas.
Treatment and Prevention
Once having the Juvenile Diabetes Symptoms, one can always have themselves checked. Going to a Doctor and getting your blood sugar counted can be a preventive method before it could get worse. Some doctors may also have the need to check the urine for samples of glucose in it.
Other treatments that are available can start within yourself by:
- Changing one’s lifestyle (Exercising more)
- Changing one’s diet (Eating in moderation)
- Oral medications
A special type of medication in type 1 Diabetes is needed. A dose of injected insulin is necessary everyday to help the body regulate sugar in it. Several Types of Insulin:
- Rapid Acting
- Works in about 15 minutes
- Peak comes in 1-hr after taking it and continues to work for 2-4 hours more.
- Regular or Short-Acting
- Works within 30 minutes
- Peak comes in between 2-3 hours and continues to work for 3-6 hours more.
- Intermediate Acting
- Would take time to get in the bloodstream, takes about 2-4 hours after injection before getting absorbed.
- Peak comes between 4-12 hours and will work for 12-18 hours.
- Long Acting
- Takes a longer time to be absorbed in the system but lasts for almost 24 hours.
Doses of insulin are kept in a vial and needs a syringe to draw it out. It now comes in a prefilled pen. Another kind is to be inhaled. You can also get it from a pump. The physician will help you pick the type and the delivery method that’s best for you.
Before neglecting whatever your body is saying, get checked and always look for the juvenile diabetes symptoms for always remember that prevention is better than cure.