What is Juvenile Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes, commonly called juvenile diabetes, usually affects children and young adults. It's generally accepted to be a genetic disorder, though this is not always the case.

The pancreas, responsible for producing insulin necessary to get glucose out of the bloodstream and into the cells of the body, fails to function. This leads to a rise in blood sugar. If it's not treated, high blood sugar can damage the heart, kidneys and impair circulation to the extremities of the body. Ultimately death results.

While there's mo single reason for pancreatic failure, it is believed that genetics can predispose a child to getting type 1 diabetes. What is known is that the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas are destroyed or injured mostly by the body's own immune system. What triggers this destruction isn't known.

Genetics does play a part in getting the disease but it is now believed that an improper diet, environmental factors and lifestyle are more responsible in bringing about the disease.

Genetics only accounts for five to ten percent of those who develop diabetes. It is assumed to set the stage for getting the disease. An improper lifestyle could become the trigger that leads to the destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas. Fewer than 10 percent of children and young adults who have a genetic risk factor actually go on to develop type 1 diabetes.

If genetics were the real factor, then identical twins would both develop the disease. But this does not always happen. Another factor that genetics does not always play a part in the development of the disease is based on the three to tenfold increase in type 1 diabetes that has occurred in the world in the past 40 years. This cannot be explained by genetics.

The disease occurs mostly during the puberty phase, usually between 10 to 12 years in girls and 12 to 14 in boys and affects more Caucasian types than other racial groups. This trend is often reversed with type 2 affecting blacks, Hispanics, Asians and native Americans.

Whatever the cause, the beta cells of the pancreas are destroyed making it impossible to produce adequate amounts of insulin necessary to move glucose out of the bloodstream. In order to maintain a healthy life, type 1 diabetics need to rely on insulin injections for blood sugar control for the rest of their lives.

Diabetes consist of two types of diabetes. Of the two, type 1 accounts for only 5 to 10 percent of all cases, the remaining being type 2.

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are the same as those who have type 2. Excessive urination, excessive thirst or hunger, dryness of the mouth and fatigue are some of the common symptoms. If diabetes is not treated, complications arise. These include blindness, nerve damage to hands and feet, kidney damage and heart disease. Death results as the major organs cannot cope with the sugar overload.

Since juvenile diabetes strikes at an early age, those affected need to take special care of themselves. A natural diet and exercise helps to manage blood sugar better and reduce the frequency and amount of insulin needed to control glucose. Eye, foot and skin care are important. Monitoring of heart and oral health need to be addressed. Natural supplements such as bitter melon and gymnema sylvestre and vanadium can help control blood sugar.

Like type 2 diabetics, type 1 need to watch what they eat. Our foods are highly processed and consist of various chemicals and preservatives that can have a damaging effect on life and may be the one reason why the body's immune system attacks and destroys the pancreas' ability to produce insulin.

Taking vitamin and mineral supplements are a necessity as most fruits and vegetables come from farms whose soil is depleted of essential nutrients. Taking a daily intake of 600 to 1200 mg of a high quality fish oil can help prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes.

Much can be done to help children and keep them from developing type 1 diabetes. But taking preventive measures now by changing the diet can help your children to grow up healthy and avoid the devastating effects of this disease.