Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Juvenile Diabetics Get Help from a Fish

Type 2 diabetes information

Sometimes simple solutions rule. Isn’t it great when that happens? Well, recent research shows that a simple solution can help prevent juvenile diabetes for millions of children all around the world – and simple salmon is the solution!

Research from a nationwide study at the Norwegian Institute of Health revealed that when parents give their children cod liver oil (don’t worry, I’ll get to the salmon), during their first year of life, the risk of juvenile diabetes goes down by more than 25%. That’s significant. And the discovery was so important it was published in the highly respected, peer-reviewed American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Scientists believe the reason for these results is the inflammation reducing capabilities of omega 3 fatty acids in certain fish with high EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Those names are a mouthful, but they work wonders. And salmon is the highest source of EPA and DHA. (See, I told you I’d get to the salmon!)

There are two kinds of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. In both diseases, the body is unable to make insulin properly or use and store glucose. This causes blood sugar problems. Type 2 diabetes is traditionally adult onset. But, because of poor lifestyle health habits, more and more children are developing Type 2 diabetes.

Juvenile onset diabetes (type 1) usually begins in childhood or adolescence. And then the production of insulin shuts down entirely requiring daily insulin injections. Over time, there are often complications for insulin-depend diabetics. Within 15 years of the onset, over 80% end up with major eye damage. Some have kidney failure and need kidney dialysis to survive. And 35% of juvenile diabetics die from heart attacks before their mid-fifties.

Isn’t it great that omega 3 fish are swimming to the rescue? But, it’s not the first time. Over the past two decades, research has proven that EPA and DHA have many incredible health benefits, including positive results for people with type 2 diabetes. Now this new study shows omega 3 fish oil can also help prevent type 1 juvenile onset diabetes. Kind of makes you want to kiss a fish. (Or maybe not!)

EPA and DHA are found in cold water fish like cod and salmon. And salmon, from unpolluted Arctic Ocean waters, is the purest, most potent source. Since a common cause of type 1 diabetes is autoimmune disease, scientists believe the extraordinary natural, anti-inflammatory, immune building properties of omega 3 fish are what helps to prevent juvenile diabetes.

When taken by a mother during pregnancy and nursing, pure fish oil with EPA and DHA provides many other life-long health benefits for children. For example, it greatly improves a baby’s nervous system, vision and hearing. Research also shows omega 3 fish oil is vitally important for the development of a baby’s brain and produces higher intelligence.

So, if you want your child to grow up smart, strong and healthy and be well equipped to swim up stream, my recommendation is to make sure you and your family eat more cold water fish and add high quality omega 3 salmon oil capsules to your diet.

Michael Byrd has over 18 years of education and experience in the fields of physical therapy, health, fitness and nutrition. His pursuit of wellness has led him to the many health benefits of fish oil and other natural whole foods that will help you to look younger, feel better and stay healthy. Request your Free nutritional CD at http://www.omega-3.us/.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Making The Child With Juvenile Diabetes Eat The Right Kind Of Food

Diabetes Treatment Info Blog

The children used to waste lots of water from the Community Well. It was a problem for the old man, who had the responsibility of looking after the well. He knew that physical punishment is not the solution for this problem. He solved the issue with a song:

“Children, children listen to me,

Waste no water, waster no water,

There is a ghost near this well,

If you spill the water, it will drag you to hell!”

The children stopped spilling water.

Children are very difficult to deal with in the matter of their food habits. They can be changed with love and understanding. Never, by hard and fast rules!

When a child comes to know that s/he has diabetes, it could be the shock of their life. Give them the proper brief and counseling. Develop a sense of confidence in your child and tell them that there are many delicious recipes that s/he can eat even with diabetes. You can indeed inspire the child to learn the secrets behind the making of these wonder recipes.

These recipes will help the curing of the diabetes! Your child will love the freedom that you are willing to give them in using the kitchen. But before that, give your child proper training in using the kitchen appliances.

To begin with, the kid can start with salads. S/he can learn to cut it, arrange it, put lemon juice on it. Some other items they can try at the initial stages are: Bruschetta Turnovers, Dude Ranch Dip, Mushroom Pizza, Bread Snacks, Stuffed Mushroom Caps and the likes.

As you have given your child the kitchen-freedom, it does not mean that you will shut your eyes and enjoy it. Encourage the child to experiment with the new food items, but in tune with the treatment of the diabetes.

In the meantime, do not hesitate to tender piece-meal advice and pep-talks. Tell them: How its soda drinking was wrong, in place of fresh milk. How juice is good for their health, than the colas that contributed to the factor of diabetes. The sure way to deal with the extra weight is that he has to get up early and start the day with the glass of lukewarm water with honey and lime juice. How Indian gooseberry is good for calcium in bones. How cold drinks and cold coffee, has large amounts of caffeine, which is the root cause several dangerous diseases?

Understand the psychology of the child in its proper perspective and let its learning process be continuous and educative from the point of view of diet.

And lastly, the fact you should tell the child about diabetes. The main cause of diabetes is the impaired metabolism. After proper digestion of the food that we consume, glucose travels to the bloodstream, to be available as energy for the cells for growth and proper maintenance of the body, in its day to day functions. So, the recipes of the kids with juvenile diabetes need to conform to this basic objective.


http://www.diabitieslife.com/diabetes/ & Diabities website provides detailed information on diabities, diabities diet, diabities symptoms and more.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Can Fiber Help Diabetics?

Fiber forms an important part of our diet. Unfortunately, many of us ignore this either intentionally or unintentionally. Some people will find fiber hard to chew or rather not tasty at all. So they simply keep fiber away from their meals. Others may eat less fiber simply because of their eating habits. These people are mostly not aware of the benefits that fiber can bring to their bodies.

There are two categories of fiber. Insoluble fiber acts like a broom in the gut while soluble fiber is more sponge-like in its actions. When both are paired together, they resist digestion by the body and do not contribute to calories.

Fiber can not only help our gut but also prevent other diseases. For example, a new study showed that pre-menopausal women who eat a high-fiber diet (30 g per day) are strongly protected against breast cancer.

As we all know, diabetic may develop other medical complications or even heart disease if his or her condition is not managed properly. This group of people usually needs medication and in serious cases, injection of insulin may be prescribed by doctors.

Good new is: for diabetics, taking sufficient fiber will help them balance blood sugar levels. A study conducted on a group of diabetics by University of California, Los Angeles showed that 3 weeks of lifestyle changes including fiber-dense foods can actually reverse diabetes and clean arteries as well.

As indicated by some evidence, diabetics might benefit from consuming more fiber than generally recommended. Patients taking 50g of fiber a day can achieve a 10 percent lowering in glucose levels. However, a large intake of fiber may cause an intestinal obstruction for some individuals. As such, higher levels of fiber should be introduced gradually for these people.

To prevent glucose spikes after eating, it is best to eat soluble fibers which can be found in beans, lentils and oats.

It is believed that a breakfast and lunch containing moderate amounts of soluble fibers, such as low-sugar fruit like apples and oats, can be valuable especially to a child who shows behavior and learning difficulties from blood sugar swings. Adults facing energy slumps during the day would benefit from this, too.

Bear in mind that keeping sugar levels stable can also help the body stores less fat. That is why fiber is one element that cannot be omitted for people trying to control their weight.

Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine as long as the following information about author/website is included.

Heart Disease Prevention - 8 Simple Ways You Can Do Immediately, Go to: http://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Diabetes and Dementia

Can Elderly Men and Women Diabetics Help Their Uncertainty Of Dementia? And Can Changing The Diabetes Diet Help Reduce the Causes and Symptoms of Dementia?

Diabetes can affect the cognitive function in older men and women. In a recent issue from the Journal of Nutrition, Health And Aging (Volume 10, No. 4, 2006), researchers did reveal that postmenopausal women with markers for blood sugar that were 7% or higher, (meaning poorly controlled diabetes) had a fourfold greater peril of having mild cognitive impairment or dementia over four years compared to women with lower levels of all those markers.

Diabetics should keep their blood sugars less than 6% with the Hemoglobin A1C in order to help save conceptual dysfunction.

A possible justification for this kind of Proliferated Danger for dementia may be inflammation. People with diabetes and excessive abdominal fat may have more compounds that can cause an inflammatory response in the body.

Persons with dementia also show signs of inflammation in their brains. While it may be too soon to say that cutting inflammation will take from the Probability of dementia, you do want to consider the diet as an important part of diabetes. Cutting down on carbohydrates may lower this inflammatory response.

Diabetes and cognitive decline are well thought-out major health issues among the Older even in diabetic subjects without dementia, in cognitive domains, such as memory, attention and frontal lobe function (diabetic conceptual dysfunction).

Recent epidemiological: studies seem to suggest that diabetes heightens the exposure of vascular dementia, as well as Alzheimer's disease.

There appears to be building up evidence that indicate biological links between brain glucose metabolism and cognitive decline. Once elderly diabetics had severe conceptual dysfunction, reversing it may be much extra tricky. Therefore, diabetic cognitive decline should be well thought-out in the long-term management of hyperglycemia.

Some diabetic patients that I have come in contact with that are older patients that have decreased cognitive ability usually have a direct correlation to not having their blood sugars under control.

Diabetic patients I do see that already have conceptual dysfunction are usually put on dementia medications Namenda and/or Aricept. New drugs are always being developed to help patients with dementia or Alzheimer's whether related to diabetes or heart problems.

Good controlled blood sugar parameters are 80-120 mg/dl for FBS and 140-160 mg/dl for a Random Blood Sugar. But always consult your doctor as to what parameters he or she may suggest. Recognize it is carbohydrate foods, juice and junk foods that raise the blood sugars.

If you would like to learn how to control your blood sugar and symptoms of dementia, please go to http://www.onediabetes.info/

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Diabetes Guide: What Is Diabetes Ketoacidosis?

Diabetes has become a common disease among people all over the world today. To combat the wide spread wings of diabetes, several modes of treatments have come up. But diabetes is not just a single disease. It comes in a package of its several forms. Of them the most deadly one is Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is also known as DKA. Diabetic Ketoacidosis is not triggered by itself. It is a consequence for an another diabetes. When diabetes mellitus goes untreated, it takes the shape of Diabetic ketoacidosis. If not taken care of properly, DKA can prove fatal to your life.

In a nut shell, Diabetes Ketoacidosis can be linked to an impaired glucose cycle that begins with the deficiency of the insulin enzyme in your body. If your diabetes goes undiagnosed you can suffer from this condition. And even if you are aware about your diabetic condition but still not taking any proper medication, then no body can stop you to fall in the trap of diabetic ketoacidosis. This form of diabetes is so much dangerous that if kept unnoticed the morality rate can be high as 100 percent.

It has been found that diabetic Ketoacidosis mainly occurs with type 1 diabetes. The reason being the fact that it is related to the circulating insulin disorder. On the other hand, it is less common in type 2 diabetes patients because type 2 diabetes is related to the cells insensitivity to insulin and not to the shortage of it.

Despite having high amount of glucose in the blood, the liver in your body will behave in a way as if your body is starving of glucose. In this case the liver will be forced to produce another type of fuel to fulfill the metabolic functions of your body. As a result the liver will be forced to use the body's triglycerides to produce glucose. This glucose that will be produced will be used by the brain to carry on the functions. In this whole process, ketone bodies are produced as a by-product that help to process the fatty acids.

But like any disease, diabetic Ketoacidosis does have a treatment to it. The treatment mainly consists of the hydration process. Hydration lowers the osmosis property of the blood while replacing the lost electrolytes in it. In the process, insulin is also replaced which results in the production of glucose and potassium in the cells.

But still, prevention is better than cure. If you maintain a proper record of your glucose levels in the blood, the chances of you suffering from this disease remains bleak.

To get more information on diabetes, diabetes diet and diabetes care visit http://www.diabitieslife.com/diabetes/


Diabetes Treatment Info Blog

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Is Juvenile Diabetes Hereditary?

The genetics of diabetes are very complex, but before I delve into that, you need to be aware that the terminology has changed. What used to be called Juvenile Diabetes is now called type 1. What used to be called Adult Onset diabetes is now called type 2, as you note. The reason for no longer using the terms Juvenile and Adult Onset is that both Juvenile and Adult Onset Diabetes occur throughout the life span. Thus, the old terms are misleading.

Type 1 and type 2 are completely different conditions which share a common clinical end result, elevated blood glucose levels. Actually type 2 and 1 are really families of diseases, but we'll leave that complication out for simplicity's sake.

Yes, diabetes of both types can run in families and there is a genetic component to the diseases which may, or may not, be inherited. On the other hand, the majority of diabetics, of either type, do not have a first degree relative with the disease. The genetic predisposition to diabetes is fairly easy to come by. In both cases, there are probably many contributing genetic locations and the probability you will get the disease depends on which subset of the locations that have the disposing characteristic a particular individual winds up possessing. There also appear to be some genes which protect from the disease. The general picture of the onset of diabetes is that you have a genetic predisposition which is then triggered by some environmental factor. Beyond this very general picture the two types start becoming distinct.

The probability that an individual with a type 1 sibling will develop type 2 diabetes is the same as in the general population, since they are independent conditions. The estimates of the risk of type 2 vary quite a bit for a couple reasons. Type 2 incidence rises very steeply with age and so any age cut off in your sample has a dramatic effect on the cumulative incidence. Rates also vary widely depending on the details of the population you look at. Lastly, much of the type 2 diabetes remains undiagnosed, so your calculated rate depends heavily on your estimate of the undiagnosed population. In round numbers, the risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during a 70 year life is 10%. The risk of contracting type 2 is close to twice that.

Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in items such as juvenile diabetes

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Identify The Roots Of Type 1 Or Juvenile Diabetes Early

Juvenile diabetes or Type 1 diabetes is common among children. Every year, around 13,000 new cases of Juvenile diabetes are reported in America. True to its name, it mostly attacks the children but adults as well come into its hold.

In juvenile diabetes, shortage of supply of insulin and glucose builds up in the bloodstream as cells are unable to use it. The body is unable to use the entire glucose because it is available in the bloodstream only.

This increases hunger. You consume more food, but suffer from fatigue. Frequent urination is another symptom of this type of diabetes. What happens later is insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas are totally destroyed by body's own immune system. Hence the necessity arises to get the supply of insulin from the outside sources.

Some other specific symptoms of Type I diabetes are:

In women, absence of menstruation, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting mark the arrival of this disease. Unbearable abdominal pain, abrupt weight loss despite normal or increased appetite, exhaustion when you walk short distances, more exhaustion if you climb are the other common symptoms.

You can not arrive at the final conclusion with regard to the diabetes condition with the presence of the above conditions alone. For further confirmation, diagnostic approach is also necessary. The most desirable test is insulin test. This test gives the firm indications/results, whether you have the diabetes or not.

As soon as the symptoms re-confirmed, hospitalization is the initial step to regulate the insulin level. But diabetes is not a disease that has the guaranteed cure. Though, it can be controlled with apt care. There is also the fear of Type I diabetes turning to Type II diabetes. You need to understand your diabetes in proper perspective by knowing about the diabetic related problems. Call it diabetic education. Dietary changes are inevitable as diet is the important factor for curbing as well as increasing the diabetes condition.

Take control of the disease; never allow it to take control of you. If you ignore the disease at the initial stages, it may lead to several other types of serious diseases such as high blood pressure, heart related diseases and paralysis.

To get more information on diabetes, type 1 diabetes and juvenile diabetes visit http://www.diabitieslife.com/diabetes/

Diabetes symptom and info

Sunday, December 10, 2006

How To Care For Juvenile Diabetes Patient At Home?

The treatment given to the child at the doctor's chamber has medicinal as well as psychological value. The child trusts the immaculately dressed man, with stethoscope dangling on his neck. The child has read books and seen it on TV that such doctors virtually bring back the patient from the jaws of death.


But the reality is different. Juvenile diabetes is a peculiar disease. It is not like, one day stomach ache, two days toothache or three days headache. The modern child is educated enough to understand what diabetes is about. It is aware of the serious implications of the disease. Naturally it would be the shocking news for the parents that their young child has diabetes. But the reality has to be faced boldly by both the parents and the child. For winning such cases, 80% of the treatment is psychological where only 20% is the actual medication.


Remember, food is responsible for every type of disease and food takes responsibility for curing every type of disease. This statement may look contradictory, but it is nothing but the truth. We need to take right food at the right time. The number one rule for diabetic children is that they need to eat healthily. And this diet education needs to be given to the children from the parents as a part of the home discipline.


Your love to the child need not be expressed through fulfilling its demand for wrong types of food. The various types of junk foods with more and more carbohydrates, sugarcoated and cream items should be avoided at all the cost. Give your child the appropriate food items such as seasonal fruits and vegetables, containing adequate fiber.


In initial insulin program that is provided to the children with diabetes is short term acting Hymalog NPH and long terms acting Humalin N.


Your child must not feel that its freedom to eat what it wanted is curbed totally. You need to fix the eating time-table in such a way that all the harmful items are strictly avoided, and with the addition of new items that would be liked by the child.


Take the child for a morning or evening walk. This will add to the bonds of affection. It is good for diabetes as walking helps the activity of metabolism. Similarly the child needs to be taught some simple physical exercises that are both fun and of immense benefit in the actual treatment of diabetes.


Therefore "love plus discipline in diet" is the major part of care and treatment for juvenile diabetes.


About the Author


To get more information on diabetes, type 1 diabetes and juvenile diabetes visit http://www.diabitieslife.com/diabetes/


Diabetes Treatment Info

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Raising Happy Diabetic Kids Part III Help Your Child Develop Self-Control

This is the third and final article in a series I wrote about raising happy diabetic kids. While Juvenile Diabetes makes this job tougher the information in these articles applies to raising any child. Diabetic children aren’t any different from other children. Their pancreas just doesn’t work. However, the emotional toll that diabetes takes on a child, even when blood glucose levels are under fairly good control, must be taken into account whenever we consider what is best for them. We can be very helpful in raising children who are emotionally strong and better able to avoid and overcome these stresses brought on by diabetes by making sure they are raised with a strong foundation of these three basic life skills. Self-Confidence, Self-Reliance, and Self-Control.

It All Starts With Discipline:

In order for our children to develop self-control it is our responsibility to teach them discipline. Discipline is the part of raising our children that causes us the most sleeplessness. It’s probably also the part that a lot of parents don’t think they get quite right. The thoughts of the “experts” have changed so much that the “old fashioned” discipline we were taught and what has become the so-called “permissive” new tradition are so far apart several things generally happen. We ignore what we were taught, or we ignore the new conventional wisdom, or we become confused and don’t carry out our responsibilities properly. I’m as guilty of this confusion from time to time as anybody else is. When you think about it discipline should have three goals.

It must pave the way for our children to acquire Self–Control or self–discipline.

It must be applied in such a way as to allow our children to also develop self-confidence and self-reliance.

Parents must be comfortable with implementing it and feel it works.

The old fashioned “thou shalt not” style discipline and the new permissive style lead to two completely different outcomes in children. With the old fashioned style we end up with children who don’t learn to make choices or decisions well for themselves. They find acceptance only if they “do as they are told” and it teaches them in turn to exert power and control over others. On the other hand with a permissive style of discipline our children have too many choices and never know where they really stand. This can lead to insecurity. (and low self-esteem) Our children get used to having their own way and they learn to negotiate and manipulate. We only step in when the behavior goes too far. It always goes to far, they’re kids.

How To Develop Self-Control:

By raising our children within a framework of proper discipline we encourage self-control in them. We aren’t going to be the boss forever. We are teaching our children to be responsible for themselves. There are three main components to Self-Control. They are habit (hanging up their coat when they come in or doing homework before watching TV), seeing the greater good (doing without something right now in order to get something better later), and the ability to make moral judgments (doing things just because it’s the right thing to do). We need to teach our children to think ahead about the consequences of their actions. They should also be taught to accept responsibility for what they do. They need to be taught to make proper rules and to stick to them.

Our kids need to learn to accept disappointment. And also to trust their own judgment. When children learn to see what needs to be done, stick with it until it is done, and not do it just because someone told them to or because they know it will make us happy, then we can pat ourselves on the back.

This is our goal in teaching our children good diabetes control. It will help them realize not only that they have to do it but that they should do it. We as parents of diabetic children have been entrusted with a very difficult and special task. By holding up our end of the responsibility for helping our children develop self-confidence, self-reliance, and self-control, we are preparing them to grow into adults that number one can and will take proper care of their health. And will in turn raise the next generation of happy kids, our grandchildren.

Russell Turner is the father of a 10 year old Type 1 Juvenile Diabetic daughter. When she was first diagnosed he quickly found there was all kinds of information on the internet about the medical aspects of this dsease. What he couldn't find was information about how to prepare his family to live with this disease. He started a website http://www.mychildhasdiabetes.com/ and designed it so parents of newly diagnosed children would have a one-stop resource to learn to prepare for life with diabetes.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Children and Diabetes

Children, like adults, are often diagnosed with diabetes. Most children have type 1 or juvenile diabetes that will require insulin on a regular basis to sustain proper body functions. There are growing numbers of children that are now being diagnoses with type 2 diabetes that has historically only been found in adult populations.


Some facts about children and diabetes highlight the importance of understanding this disease and finding ways to manage and control it effectively:


* One in every 400-500 children in the world has diabetes. * Approximately 150,000 children in the United States under the age of 18 have diabetes.* Type 1 or juvenile diabetes occurs when the immune system begins to generate cells that destroy the pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin in the body. If the child does not receive insulin every day the child will die.* 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes every year. These children are at a greater risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and immune complications throughout their lives.* Type 2 or adult onset diagnosis is becoming more prevalent in children. This is a condition where the body is unable to utilize the insulin produced because it has built up a resistance to the insulin. Over time the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient quantities of insulin, and complications arise.* Type 2 diabetes is more closely linked to obesity, especially if there is a history of diabetes in the family. It is also more prevalent in African American, Latino, Asian, and American Indian children.


Controlling diabetes in children


Just like adults, children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will need to closely monitor both their food intake and the amount of exercise that they complete each day. While not required to eliminate all their favorite foods, it is important to teach children concepts of portion control and healthy eating. Often in todays culture there is so much to get done in a day that meals are often skipped or eaten on the run or in the car. Fast foods are not a good substitute for fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and whole grains.


Try to schedule so that your child has time to sit down to a balanced meal as often as possible, ideally three times per day. Try to include whole grains, fiber, lean meats, fish, dairy products and fresh fruits and vegetables. To get children to eat healthy try the following:


* Trail mix including a variety of nuts, dried soy nuts, dried fruits instead of potato chips.* Granola bars instead of cookies or donuts. * Whole grain bread instead of white bread.* Carrot and celery sticks instead of French fries* Bake foods instead of deep frying* Salads with meals or as an appetizer before meals* Raw vegetables or fruits dipped in yogurt


Remember that modeling healthy lifestyles will help your children learn. Exercise together as a family. Go for a bike ride, walk, or go to the park and have fun together. Small changes in lifestyles can lead to big changes in health conditions over time. Start small and work together as a family to reach your diet and exercise goals.


Karen Newton is a registered nurse and acclaimed author with over 25 years of health care experience. Her newest book, Diabetic Diet Secrets, is an easy to follow guide to losing weight and getting control of your diabetes. Karen offers a free Diabetic Tips Course at http://www.diabeticdietsecrets.com/diabetictips.htm.


Type 2 Diabetes Info

Type 1 diabetes info

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Juvenile Diabetes - Serious?

Although the increase in obesity, due to a poor diet and lack of exercise, in children is beginning to increase the incidence of these overweight children developing type 2 diabetes, it is usually type 1 diabetes that develops in juveniles.


As with many of the common diseases of the endocrine system, an auto-immune problem is the root cause of type 1 diabetes, the body's natural defences begin to attack the bodies tissues rather than the invaders they are designed to destroy, as they were designed to. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys the valuable beta cells within the pancreas that are responsible for the production and release of insulin.


Without beta cells there can be no naturally produced insulin and glucose levels rapidly escalate to dangerous levels.


After having undiagnosed diabetes for years the beta cells that create insulin are damaged beyond repair. The body then stops producing insulin, and the diabetic is forced to rely completely on an outside insulin source.


Diabetes is still associated with overweight, middle aged individuals who are deemed to be paying the price for earlier life excesses. No-one expects their child to develop this disease, however it does occur.


Unfortunately, early symptoms are subtle and very easy to attribute to other childhood illnesses, conditions and ways of being:


• A sudden weight loss
• Drowsiness and lack of energy, unless excessive, may not be noticed or remarked upon. Many children now lead very sedentary lifestyles and lethargy may simply not be noticed.


• Extreme thirst - is not unusual in children, especially in warm weather. Also, once children are old enough and tall enough to reach the refrigerator door it can be difficult to monitor their fluid intake.


• Frequent urination - this may become apparent to parents if travelling with children, but just around the home it can be difficult to spot as children simply take themselves to the bathroom.


• Vision changes - they should not be attributed to too much time in front of the television or computer screen.


• Sweet smelling breath may be noticed by parents and may equally well be attributed to something the child has eaten.


• Increased appetites may be remarked upon, but of course children are growing and can have large appetites - why would a parent necessarily consider this to be a bad thing?


• Heavy, laboured breathing is another symptom which can be masked by any number of respiratory problems which seem to be more prevalent in children nowadays.


From this symptom list, it becomes apparent how important it is for parents to be watchful of the childeren.


All parents should make themselves aware of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes so they can respond quickly in the event that their child develops this disease. The earlier treatment is sought, the less damage is done.


If diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, there are a host of issues that a person needs to address.
Blood glucose levels need to be monitored as often as 6 times per day with a prick of the finger or another source of blood.


• If the levels are too high, diabetes patients face the problem of a hyperglycemic reaction.


• Consequently, if blood glucose levels are too low, the patient runs the risk of a hypoglycemic reaction.


For this reason, in addition to monitoring the levels, diabetes sufferers need to maintain their glucose through injections of insulin, a proper diet, and exercise.


Low blood glucose levels can be heightened by eating something with sugar. Soda and fruit juice are two commonly used remedies for a low glucose level.


If the glucose in the bloodstream is too high, more specific actions need to be taken and may even involve a trip to the hospital.


High glucose levels can cause a poisoning of the blood that can be fatal if unaddressed.
Get Life Improving Information About Diabetes at http://www.4HealthConcerns.com/Diabetes and Find All The Research Material You Need About Juvenile Diabetes While You Relax at Home

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Know The Symptoms of Juvenile Diabetes

According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRFI), “every year over 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.” There is no known cure for this stealthy disease that attacks and destroys the beta cells that produce insulin. Symptoms present themselves suddenly and progress rapidly. Knowing what symptoms to look for, if you suspect juvenile diabetes has gripped your child, will lead you to seek the medical counsel of a physician.

Know the Symptoms:

The need to urinate often. If your child has been potty trained and begins wetting themselves frequently, consider juvenile diabetes as a possibility.

Extreme thirst and a keen desire for cold drinks that are sweet.

A need to eat often and complaints of being hungry. Eyesight problems such as blurred vision. Irritable.

Child complains of nausea and is vomiting. (Acute symptoms that need immediate attention) Losing weight while continuing to display a healthy appetite.

Listless, tired, abnormally quiet.

Falling into a coma. (A life threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention)
It’s not always apparent that a child has type 1 or juvenile diabetes. Some of the symptoms seem like average childhood problems that occur. Nausea and/or vomiting can be misconstrued as the flu. Irritability, being tired and listless may be attributed to behaviors all children exhibit at one time or another. The discovery of juvenile diabetes may happen during a visit to a physician for another ailment such as a vaginal yeast infection for girls or even a routine examination.

Untreated diabetic children may display restless behavior and an apathetic attitude when it comes to school. The inability to focus on tasks at hand leaves them somewhat dysfunctional and frustrated. Rapid, deep breaths that have a fruity odor are another more subtle sign that could easily be overlooked. The behaviors may go unnoticed by parents as symptoms of juvenile diabetes until the child reaches diabetic ketoacidosis. DKA is a serious condition with the body receiving little or no insulin and resulting in energy being produced by the breakdown of fat. This process causes ketones or acids to spill into the blood stream as toxins. One quarter of the children with juvenile diabetes has all ready advanced to the level of diabetic ketoacidosis before seeing a physician or being diagnosed. If the juvenile diabetes continues to go untreated, the child may lapse into a diabetic coma.

A diagnosis is made through blood tests that target glucose levels and urine tests that measure the level of ketones and glucose. The tests are far simpler to read than reading the behaviors of your child and being able to pinpoint them as potential symptoms of juvenile diabetes. With knowledge comes power and by knowing the symptoms parents have the power to begin successful management of type 1 diabetes giving their child the opportunity for as normal a childhood as possible.

Tom Capizzi owns http://www.diabetessymptomsonline.com/. Get more details about Diabetes Symptoms at http://www.diabetessymptomsonline.com/.