Diabetes in Children and Youth

Diabetes is growing by 3 percent each year for children and youth

November 14 is celebrated each year as Children’s Day and World Diabetes Day. This year the theme is “Diabetes in children and youth”. Let me take this opportunity to write about diabetes in children.

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases that affect children. It can strike children of any age, even toddlers and babies. If not detected during early childhood, the disease can have deadly consequences or result in serious damage to the brain. Diabetic child is often completely overlooked. This is the time miss-diagnosed as flu or doctors fail to diagnose it at all. Every parent, teacher, doctor involved in child care should be familiar with the warning signs and be alert to the threat.

The warning signs are Frequent urination, Excessive thirst, Increased hunger, Weight, Fatigue, Lack of interest and concentration, Blurred vision, Vomiting and abdominal pain (often mistaken as the flu).

In children with type 2 diabetes, the symptoms may be moderate or not. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes: Diabetes occurs as a result of problems in production and supply of the hormone insulin in the body. The body needs insulin to use energy that is stored in food. When a person has diabetes their body cannot create insulin (Type 1diabetes) or their bodies cannot use the insulin made effectively (type 2diabetes).

Type 1 diabetes is most common type of diabetes in children. However, as a result of increasing childhood obesity and always lifestyles, type 2 diabetes is also increasing rapidly in children and youth. In some countries type 2diabetes has become the most common type of disease in children.

Type 2 diabetes in children is probably under-diagnosed because it may have no symptoms. To prevent Type 2 diabetes in children, emphasis should be laid on physical activity, less frequent activities such as television and views of a healthy diet. If diabetes is diagnosed, paying close attention to all cardiovascular risk factors, as well as prevention is important. We need to fit in the modern industrial city on a healthy way. Diabetes is a serious health problem and expensive and there is much that can do to reduce its impact. The earliest description of diabetes from the Philippines to 2,500 years ago and the role of obesity, frequent behaviour and dietary factors are known in ancient times. What is needed now is concerted public health action against the risk factors for diabetes.

We can do our bit to prevent diabetes and other diseases. Food for children with diabetes is a minor consideration. A dietician will be able to tell you more but it is certain essential that your child has a healthy, balanced diet, high in complex carbohydrates and fibre. It is necessary to be careful Sweets but it need not be 100 per cent from the menu. Some of the foods planning of goals for children with diabetes are the same as for other children. They must eat food that will help them have good general health, normal growth and a healthy weight. But children with diabetes also have to balance their carbohydrate intake with their insulin and activity levels to maintain their levels of blood sugar under control. In addition, children with diabetes should also eat foods that help maintain the level of lipids or fats in the blood (such as Cholesterol and triglycerides) in a healthy range. Food this way may help prevent some of the long-term health problem that can cause diabetes. These days, with huge amounts of food choices, we need to teach them to read the labels of food, especially the carbohydrate content. They must understand the serving size and how to change one food for another.

Children with diabetes face the same challenges of food everyone – largely sticking to healthy eating habits over time. It can be difficult with so many temptations, so it is important to prepare food that your child enjoys. The food may make you plan vary depending on your child’s diabetes, but to help your child Dietician, you can tailor meals to planning your child’s food preferences and eating habits

maxilolee
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/diabetes-in-children-and-youth-671923.html

7 Comments »

admin on February 27th 2010 in Diabetes and Food Choices

7 Responses to “Diabetes in Children and Youth”

  1. nostalgia77 responded on 27 Feb 2010 at 1:18 pm #

    Need recommendation for a child or youth hospital for diabetes in U.S. Please help!!!!?
    My youngest brother, now 11 years old, was born with Hypoglicemia. As he is entering his adolecent years, his health is worsening. He has uncontrollable high and low blood sugar levels, migrains, pain in his legs, and recently has had high blood preasure. At this moment the pediatrician said he has a kidney infecction and is seeing blury threw one eye…he suggested we move to the states to get better health care for him before it is too late. My brother has also been evaluated by a psychologist, that said he was depressed due to his conditions….. Please help!!!!!!!!!

  2. pattiof responded on 27 Feb 2010 at 6:20 pm #

    I would certainly put a little more pressure on your doctor; he as a doctor should know that hypoglacemia can manifest into diabetes. It sounds like actually has the disease.
    References :

  3. bmac responded on 27 Feb 2010 at 6:22 pm #

    There are Children’s Hospitals in almost every major city in the US. http://pediatrics.about.com/od/childrenshospitals/Childrens_Hospitals.htm

    Also, St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital.
    http://www.stjude.org/
    References :

  4. Snoochies responded on 27 Feb 2010 at 6:24 pm #

    Like previously said there are many great hospitals in the United Stastes. Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL is excelent. There is also the Shriner’s Hospital in Chicago, IL. Which is 100% free for Children who cannot afford or does not have health insurance.
    References :

  5. Medic_13 responded on 27 Feb 2010 at 6:26 pm #

    I have heard a lot of good things about the Mayo Clininc from my patients about their treatment for diabetes.
    References :

  6. jsbusse responded on 27 Feb 2010 at 6:28 pm #

    It sounds like he could be a diabetic that has not been treated. Blurry vision is one of the symptoms for high blood sugar not treated. He could very well be in DKA….if he is he needs to be treated immediately…or he will die. I have been through this….a lot of hypoglycemic pt’s become diabetic. He will bounce around until his beta cells finally quit working….sounds like they are. INSIST on them checking him for type 1 diabetes. You could also go to a pharmacy and ask for ketone strips……..(you do not need a prescription for this) have him pee on it and see if he has any ketones. If he does….then he is in very serious danger…..take him to an emergency room. If he doesn’t and you want to look for a hospital in the US. I know that Cooks Children’s Hospital in FT. Worth Texas is good and Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio is very good. I hope this helps.

    One more thing…I have a friend who’s son had the exact same symptoms. The ER thought she was crazy…..finialy a Dr. overheard them talking and told them to test for diabetes….sure enough ….he was in ICU for 4 days and was told if they had waited 12 more hours he would be dead! So it is good that you are concerned.
    References :
    my son is diabetic
    I’m a Resp. Therapist
    Mom’s a pedi RN

  7. Ivan E. Cao-Berg responded on 27 Feb 2010 at 6:30 pm #

    i personally go to the university of pittsburgh medical center and get a great service. the system also has a children’s hospital.
    References :
    http://www.upmc.com
    http://www.pitt.edu

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