Type 1 diabetes was once referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes due to its appearance in adolescence and early childhood. The symptoms are often misinterpreted, overlooked or mistaken for something entirely different at first.
The body produces the hormone insulin to utilize sugar in the body to provide energy for motion and movement. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin and glucose levels in the blood increase dangerously. Insulin is essential for the human body to live – it moves sugar from the bloodstream and into cells where it can be utilized effectively.
Depending upon the age of the child, teens may be fitted with an insulin pump. They may also need to learn to count carbohydrates, test their blood glucose levels, and give themselves insulin injections. Signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in teens include:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
- Extreme hunger
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Irritability and/or behavioral changes
- Blurred vision
- Fruity smelling breath
- Yeast infection
No one knows why the pancreas stops producing insulin, but some individuals may have increased risk factors that include genetics, family history of the disease, and non-Hispanic races. Science has also suggested that some viruses trigger an autoimmune response in the body that destroys the cells in the pancreas that produces insulin.
It’s imperative that children are diagnosed as soon as possible. Diabetes comes with a variety of potential complications that include heart and blood vessel disease, infections and skin conditions, osteoporosis, and elevated cholesterol levels. Teens are also at increased risk for damage to nerves, eyes, and the kidneys.
There’s no way to prevent Type 1 diabetes in children and teens, but parents can help their child avoid complications. A healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining good control of glucose levels, and regular visits to an eye doctor and family physician are paramount. Type 1 diabetes is frightening to parents and children, but teens can live a long, healthy and active life by learning to control their condition.
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