Diabetes is a change in levels of the hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas and helps the body turn sugar in food into energy for body functions. When the pancreas decreases in insulin production, sugar does not turn into energy and blood glucose levels skyrocket. This change is what we know as diabetes.
The disease has two forms of manifestation: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 is hereditary and depends on genetic factors to appear. Also, in this type insulin production is not the altered factor. The body produces insulin normally, but the cells resist its action, by regulating glucose rates. This form of the disease is more common in adults, but with increasing cases of childhood obesity, many children have the problem.
Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, can occur from birth to the age of about 30, although children aged five to seven years and adolescents going through puberty are more likely to develop the disease.
Symptoms
A child with diabetes tends to have an increased appetite and thirst, as well as a more frequent need to urinate as a result of the high water intake. Sudden weight loss is another symptom that should alert parents. Many diabetic children have dizziness, tingling, feeling unwell, drowsiness and weakness. The child tires easily and faster than normal.
It is important to be careful that there are no very sudden variations in glucose rates. Hyperglycemia (too much glucose in the blood) and hypoglycemia (too little glucose in the blood) are each in their own way very dangerous to the patient's health.
Treatment
The medical recommendation for the treatment of childhood diabetes is the application of insulin through daily injections (between two and four a day, depending on the rates verified). Checking glucose levels should be done at home every day using specific devices that measure rates with a single drop of blood.
In addition, it is essential to maintain a balanced diet, avoiding excessive consumption of sweets. One should balance protein, carbohydrate and fat intake by eating around six times a day. Diet sweets can be a good option so that your child doesn't miss the goodies so much.
Combining these precautions with physical activity also helps counteract the effects of diabetes and makes the child live a near normal life.
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