Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease which has the highest risk of developing in children. In this type of diabetes, the body stops synthesizing insulin. The function of Insulin in human body is to help in breakdown of glucose from the food we eat and to convert it to energy. People suffering from type 1 diabetes have to take daily doses of insulin as their body stops producing it internally.
Type 1 diabetes may be caused by genetic susceptibility. But some people believe that the development of diabetes is a natural tendency and is triggered by some foreign object. Type 1 diabetes is caused as the body stops to produce insulin because of an autoimmune process. In this process our own immune system causes the destruction of the beta cells of pancreas. Only these cells produce insulin in our body. The lack of insulin in our body causes increase in the blood and urine glucose level. So, when the glucose cannot be broken down, it can’t be absorbed by the body cells and eventually leading to their death.
Type 1 diabetes develops suddenly, especially in children. The symptoms may look similar to the flu symptoms. The peak incidence occurs around 12 to 14 years of age in boys and around 10 to 12 years of age in girls. However, every child experiences different symptoms and at different stages but the most common symptoms are: high level of blood or urine sugar when tested, unusual thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, abdominal pain, extreme weakness and fatigue, loss of weight, irritability, mood changes and nausea and vomiting.
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes may resemble other medical conditions. So it is best to consult a doctor before starting any kind of self-medication.
A few of the many complications in Type 1 diabetes are:
Coming to the treatment of Type 1 diabetes, the infants and children need to take daily dose of insulin injections keeping the sugar level in blood in the normal range. The specific treatment may depend from child to child as every body’s pharmacology is different. It might be based on: The child's age, his tolerance for medications and overall health. It also depends on procedures or therapies, extent of the disease and the parent’s opinion and decisions.
Apart from insulin the treatment also includes: Proper foods to manage blood sugar level, daily exercises to lower and help the body fully utilize the blood sugar, regular blood testing to check blood-sugar levels and regular urine testing to check ketone levels in the body, as prescribed by the physician.
The burden of diabetes on such a small body and young mind might instill fear of death or may show hostility towards the parents. Parents must continuously encourage their child to help him/her face the challenges of the disease. A proper supervised medical care and self-care, if embarked upon at the appropriate age, will help build self-esteem and independence in the little ones to fight this chronic disease.
Type 1 diabetes may be caused by genetic susceptibility. But some people believe that the development of diabetes is a natural tendency and is triggered by some foreign object. Type 1 diabetes is caused as the body stops to produce insulin because of an autoimmune process. In this process our own immune system causes the destruction of the beta cells of pancreas. Only these cells produce insulin in our body. The lack of insulin in our body causes increase in the blood and urine glucose level. So, when the glucose cannot be broken down, it can’t be absorbed by the body cells and eventually leading to their death.
Type 1 diabetes develops suddenly, especially in children. The symptoms may look similar to the flu symptoms. The peak incidence occurs around 12 to 14 years of age in boys and around 10 to 12 years of age in girls. However, every child experiences different symptoms and at different stages but the most common symptoms are: high level of blood or urine sugar when tested, unusual thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, abdominal pain, extreme weakness and fatigue, loss of weight, irritability, mood changes and nausea and vomiting.
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes may resemble other medical conditions. So it is best to consult a doctor before starting any kind of self-medication.
A few of the many complications in Type 1 diabetes are:
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): glucose level goes below 4 mili mole/ltr, also called as an insulin reaction and it occurs when blood sugar drops too low.
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar): occurs when blood sugar is too high i.e more than 6.3 mili mole/ltr and is a sign that the person is on the verge of being diabetic.
- Ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) – when a person loses consciousness due to untreated or under-treated diabetes.
Coming to the treatment of Type 1 diabetes, the infants and children need to take daily dose of insulin injections keeping the sugar level in blood in the normal range. The specific treatment may depend from child to child as every body’s pharmacology is different. It might be based on: The child's age, his tolerance for medications and overall health. It also depends on procedures or therapies, extent of the disease and the parent’s opinion and decisions.
Apart from insulin the treatment also includes: Proper foods to manage blood sugar level, daily exercises to lower and help the body fully utilize the blood sugar, regular blood testing to check blood-sugar levels and regular urine testing to check ketone levels in the body, as prescribed by the physician.
The burden of diabetes on such a small body and young mind might instill fear of death or may show hostility towards the parents. Parents must continuously encourage their child to help him/her face the challenges of the disease. A proper supervised medical care and self-care, if embarked upon at the appropriate age, will help build self-esteem and independence in the little ones to fight this chronic disease.
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