Diabetes is a dangerous disease. Doctors are sounding the alarm - more and more children become ill with diabetes. In the initial stage of diabetes it is difficult to diagnose. Parents often confuse his symptoms with other diseases and do not turn to the doctor on time. Timely diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in children significantly increase the chances of a successful outcome. What are the most often worried parents?
Do infants suffer from diabetes? Diabetes is characterized by an elevated level of sugar in the blood. And these disorders are associated with a lack or complete absence of insulin. Although diabetes mellitus can be diagnosed in infancy, children at this young age are very rarely diabetic. However, the older the children, the more often a formidable diagnosis is made.
What are the symptoms that parents should be concerned about? The most noticeable symptom for diabetes is when the child begins to feel thirst all the time. Therefore, he drinks a lot. After drinking a cup of drink, he almost immediately wants to drink again. The body begins to produce much more (and more often) urine than usual. If a child wears disposable diapers, mom notes that they become very heavy. Another symptom is a marked decrease in activity. In the corners of the mouth sometimes there are jaundices, similar to the disease of the mucous membrane and the skin of the corners of the mouth. This symptom is sometimes confused with infection. The child receives antibiotics, which, of course, do not help. However, the child feels bad, vomiting occurs. As a result, children enter the hospital in very serious condition. If diabetes is not recognized in time, it can, unfortunately, lead to a coma.
What is the cause of this disease? Children often suffer from the so-called type 1 diabetes, insulin-dependent. This is an autoimmune disease, which is based on a child's immune system error. The pancreas usually contains beta cells that produce insulin. The mistake of the immune system is that it begins to treat beta cells as an enemy, and therefore seeks to destroy them. Beta cells die, and therefore it is not possible to produce insulin in the body.
Why does a person need insulin? Insulin is a hormone responsible for maintaining a normal blood sugar level. It also plays a key role in the production of energy, is involved in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Acute lack or absence of insulin is life-threatening. Because the muscles of the whole body and cells do not receive enough nutrients.
Can diabetes be prevented by proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle? Unfortunately, with the 1 st type of diabetes, which children usually suffer - no. This disease (unlike type 2) has nothing to do with lifestyle and nutrition. This is not due to the fact whether the child suffers from obesity or excessive leanness. And even more so does not depend on the number of sweets eaten. Scientists do not know why at some point the immune system of young children starts to work incorrectly. Perhaps this is due to some sort of viral infection. But this is only a hypothesis. If the first type of diabetes mellitus, parents can not do anything, but in their power to prevent type 2 diabetes. On its appearance can really affect obesity, improper diet and sedentary lifestyle. This also applies to adults, especially those with a hereditary predisposition.
How is the diagnosis of diabetes administered to children? It's very simple: the urine and the blood of a child are being analyzed. The presence of sugar in the urine and elevated blood glucose can indicate diabetes. If your doctor suspects diabetes, the child is referred for treatment.
What should you do if your child is sick? Within two weeks your child will be treated at the hospital. This is necessary because at the beginning it needs to be carefully examined to determine how much insulin is needed. Parents will be taught how to measure the sugar level in the child's blood, how to inject insulin (if needed), how to plan meals. All this is very important. Negligence and irresponsible attitude can lead to hypoglycemia, loss of consciousness.
Is it possible diabetes cured? Doctors can not completely cure diabetes. But do not give up! If the parents and the child follow the doctors' instructions faithfully, then with this disease one can live without complications. As a rule, such children go to school, study well, can do the feasible work. However, it is obvious that much must change in life. Parents often admit that after the diagnosis in their family begins a different life. The child receives injections 3-5 times a day before meals. He should eat as much as necessary so that the blood sugar level is sufficient. Several times during the day, it is necessary to measure the level of sugar in the blood. All this must be done! Because ill-treated diabetes in a few years leads to serious complications, especially for the kidneys. And it can even lead to blindness.
What is an insulin pump? This device can be very useful for diabetics. Much simplifies their lives. Thanks to the pump, the dose of insulin can be accurately programmed and monitored. A sick child will not have to be pricked several times a day to give him a dose of insulin. When using an insulin pump, the injection is done every three days. The computer dictates the pace of insulin and food intake. Thanks to modern technology, children's treatment becomes easier and safer. However, this does not absolve the child and parents of the control of blood sugar and the practice of healthy eating.
When diagnosing and treating diabetes in children, all factors are important. This is the responsibility and attention of parents, teachers and peers. This is the competence of doctors and modern medical equipment. This understanding of the problem by the child. But the most important factor, as always, is disinterested love and care. Feeling warmth and attention, the child will go through all the trials, and will live a full life. It is possible that very soon scientists will find the management of this terrible disease.