Do you wonder why many small children are prescribed a no-sugar diet, at their very tender age? This is because they have fallen a victim of juvenile or Type 1 diabetes. The metabolic disorder usually starts during childhood. Hence, it is named as juvenile diabetes. In the present time, more and more children are testing positive for the disorder. Not only children, teens and young adults have also fallen a victim of Type 1 diabetes. It is one among the two common forms of diabetes, the other one being Type 2 diabetes. In case of juvenile diabetes, the body of a person becomes incapable of regulating its blood glucose.
What Is Juvenile Diabetes
Juvenile diabetes occurs when the immune system of the body attacks and destroys certain cells in the pancreas – the organ that produces insulin. The destroyed cells are called beta cells, which produce insulin, a hormone that helps the body move the glucose contained in food, into cells, thereby regulating the level of blood sugar. People suffering from juvenile diabetes are suggested to take insulin, in order to regulate their blood sugar level. A child would be prescribed life-long treatment for juvenile diabetes. However, with the support of elders and prescription of the correct medicines, diet and exercises, the blood sugar level of a child can be controlled to a great extent.
Type 1 Diabetes
Causes
* Infection with a specific virus or bacteria is one of the leading causes for the trigger of juvenile diabetes.
* Experts suggest that juvenile diabetes is caused by heredity. They say that genetics may play a role triggering the disorder.
* Autoimmune attack against the pancreas’s insulin producing cells is yet another cause of juvenile diabetes. This condition occurs when the body’s immune system (system for fighting infection) turns against a part of body.
Symptoms
* One of the visible symptoms of juvenile diabetes is frequent urination. The person tends to urinate more often than normal.
* While suffering from type 1 diabetes, a person feels unusually thirsty. He/she might develop a craving for sweets and cold drinks as well.
* Extreme hunger is another visible symptom of juvenile diabetes, as a result of which the appetite of a person increases drastically.
* The person experiences sudden and dramatic weight loss.
* Weakness and extreme fatigue are also triggered by juvenile diabetes.
* One can also notice changes in the eyesight of the person. His/her vision may get blurred, due to juvenile diabetes.
* Nausea and vomiting are some of the acute symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.
* Unconsciousness is one of the common symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.
* Drowsiness or lethargy is also regarded as a common symptom of juvenile diabetes.
* In extreme cases of juvenile diabetes, the person may have a fruity, sweet or wine-like odor on breath. This is, perhaps, a very rare symptom of type 1 diabetes.
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