Child Diabetes

Archive for the ‘Juvenile Diabetes’ Category

The treatment given to the child at the doctor’s chamber has medicinal as well as psychological value. The child trusts the immaculately dressed man, with stethoscope dangling on his neck. The child has read books and seen it on TV that such doctors virtually bring back the patient from the jaws of death.

But the reality is different. Juvenile diabetes is a peculiar disease. It is not like, one day stomach ache, two days toothache or three days headache. The modern child is educated enough to understand what diabetes is about. It is aware of the serious implications of the disease. Naturally it would be the shocking news for the parents that their young child has diabetes. But the reality has to be faced boldly by both the parents and the child. For winning such cases, 80% of the treatment is psychological where only 20% is the actual medication.

Remember, food is responsible for every type of disease and food takes responsibility for curing every type of disease. This statement may look contradictory, but it is nothing but the truth. We need to take right food at the right time. The number one rule for diabetic children is that they need to eat healthily. And this diet education needs to be given to the children from the parents as a part of the home discipline.

Your love to the child need not be expressed through fulfilling its demand for wrong types of food. The various types of junk foods with more and more carbohydrates, sugarcoated and cream items should be
avoided at all the cost. Give your child the appropriate food items such as seasonal fruits and vegetables, containing adequate fiber.

In initial insulin program that is provided to the children with diabetes is short term acting Hymalog NPH and long terms acting Humalin N.

Your child must not feel that its freedom to eat what it wanted is curbed totally. You need to fix the eating time-table in such a way that all the harmful items are strictly avoided, and with the addition of new items that would be liked by the child.

Take the child for a morning or evening walk. This will add to the bonds of affection. It is good for diabetes as walking helps the activity of metabolism. Similarly the child needs to be taught some simple physical exercises that are both fun and of immense benefit in the actual treatment of diabetes.

Therefore “love plus discipline in diet” is the major part of care and treatment for juvenile diabetes.

Tags: care, Diabetes, home, Juvenile, Patient

ABC’s local Tampa, FL station features story about the use of a child’s own cord blood stem cells in a diabetes trial.

Tags: blood, cells, cord, Diabetes, stem, Trial

March 18, 2010 — Boston Celtics power player Ray Allen has teamed with Muze Clothing to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) through sales of premium movie-line inspired T-shirts. 100% of the proceeds of the T-shirt will go directly to JDRF, the worldwide leader for research to cure type 1 diabetes.

Fans can go to www.muzeconnects.com/charity to preview and purchase the shirt titled “What Would Jesus Shuttleworth Do?” The design illustrates the journey of Ray’s life, starting with the symbolism of a paper plane to represent his childhood growing up on a US Air Force base, through the seams of colorful basketballs to show his career path, and up to his current position in a Celtics #20 jersey, where he won the 2008 NBA Championship. The movie line “No journey is too great, when one finds what he seeks,” from the 80’s classic movie “Coming to America” graces the back of the shirt in Ray’s own handwriting. The W.W.J.S.D. on the front stands for “What Would Jesus Shuttleworth Do” – a tribute to the character Ray Allen played in Spike Lee’s “He Got Game. “

Watch this video to learn more about the road Ray and his family has had to travel ever since his son, Walker, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

“Ray is a dedicated father, player and a great inspiration to many, myself included,” says Muze Clothing CEO Bill Deacon.  “Working with him on this shirt was such a natural fit with the mission of our company and we feel honored to help out this incredibly important cause.  No child or parent should have to worry about any childhood illness beyond a scraped knee or a common cold.  We hope that by doing our part, we can help find a cure for this life altering condition.”

To purchase the T-shirt and support Ray Allen and JDRF, please visit www.MuzeConnects.com and click on Ray’s picture.

Tags: Allen, benefit, Boston, Celtics, Clothing, Diabetes, foundation, from, Guard, Juvenile, Muze, Partners, research

Studies have shown that an overwhelming percentage, around 85%, of adolescents with type 1 diabetes have inadequate levels of vitamin D. Type 1 diabetics are known to usually have less bone density and are considered to be at high risk for bone fractures. We know that adequate levels of vitamin D lead to stronger bones and higher bone density, that’s why we have added vitamin D to fortified milk. What you may not know is that hindered vitamin D absorption and synthesis could have a negative effect on your child’s moods, sleep patterns, stress levels, mental health and cognitive abilities. Are underlying medical conditions, race or body fat percentage preventing your child from converting vitamin D into a usable, active hormone form? The current FDA recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 400 units of vitamin D per day for adults, 200 units per day for adolescents. For a healthy adult to get a minimum daily recommended amount, they would need to drink four 8-ounce glasses of milk every day. You can also get vitamin D from the sun. For 400 units, that would be about thirty minutes of peak hour sun, four days per week. But there are many factors that can affect how much vitamin D you actually get and use from these sources. Relying on the sun or milk for vitamin D may not be feasible. Taking vitamins and supplements is usually necessary. People with hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease or liver disease should not necessarily take vitamin D supplements because of their inability to convert it to an active hormone form, so speak with your endocrinologist if your child has any of these conditions. Furthermore, you should be aware that the darker your skin is and the higher body fat percentage you have, the less vitamin D you will absorb from the sun. Also, if your child eats a diet low in monounsaturated fats or if they have a condition that causes a reduction in fat absorption, they will also have a hindered ability to absorb vitamin D and may need to supplement. Complications with diabetes are often brought on by stress. Stress levels in general are kept in check by vitamin D. Additionally, blood sugar levels affect mood and cognition. Mood swings and lack of cognition brought on by blood sugar fluctuations can be lessened and even eliminated by maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D in the body in some cases. This is because vitamin D increases the serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that controls moods in the brain. Adequate vitamin D translates into adequate serotonin. Serotonin regulates stress, anger, depression, aggression, appetite, behavior and more. Since stress aggravates and worsens diabetes symptoms and risks, controlling the serotonin levels in a juvenile diabetic, type 1 or type 2, may help reduce health risks. These risks include psychosis as a result of sleep deprivation, depression, long-term high or low blood glucose levels, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Have your child’s vitamin D levels checked by their doctor. If levels are low or deficient, try to work in food sources of vitamin D, such as shrimp, salmon, cod liver oil and vitamin D fortified milk. You may want to ask your doctor about the use of <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(’/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.nutri.com”title=”Vitamins and Supplements”>vitamins and supplements</a> to increase vitamin D levels. Have levels regularly checked to monitor absorption and proper dosage for your child.

Studies have shown that an overwhelming percentage, around 85%, of adolescents with type 1 diabetes have inadequate levels of vitamin D. Type 1 diabetics are known to usually have less bone density and are considered to be at high risk for bone fractures. We know that adequate levels of vitamin D lead to stronger bones and higher bone density, that’s why we have added vitamin D to fortified milk. What you may not know is that hindered vitamin D absorption and synthesis could have a negative effect on your child’s moods, sleep patterns, stress levels, mental health and cognitive abilities. Are underlying medical conditions, race or body fat percentage preventing your child from converting vitamin D into a usable, active hormone form?

The current FDA recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 400 units of vitamin D per day for adults, 200 units per day for adolescents. For a healthy adult to get a minimum daily recommended amount, they would need to drink four 8-ounce glasses of milk every day. You can also get vitamin D from the sun. For 400 units, that would be about thirty minutes of peak hour sun, four days per week. But there are many factors that can affect how much vitamin D you actually get and use from these sources.

Relying on the sun or milk for vitamin D may not be feasible. Taking vitamins and supplements is usually necessary. People with hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease or liver disease should not necessarily take vitamin D supplements because of their inability to convert it to an active hormone form, so speak with your endocrinologist if your child has any of these conditions. Furthermore, you should be aware that the darker your skin is and the higher body fat percentage you have, the less vitamin D you will absorb from the sun. Also, if your child eats a diet low in monounsaturated fats or if they have a condition that causes a reduction in fat absorption, they will also have a hindered ability to absorb vitamin D and may need to supplement.

Complications with diabetes are often brought on by stress. Stress levels in general are kept in check by vitamin D. Additionally, blood sugar levels affect mood and cognition. Mood swings and lack of cognition brought on by blood sugar fluctuations can be lessened and even eliminated by maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D in the body in some cases. This is because vitamin D increases the serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that controls moods in the brain.

Adequate vitamin D translates into adequate serotonin. Serotonin regulates stress, anger, depression, aggression, appetite, behavior and more. Since stress aggravates and worsens Diabetes Symptoms and risks, controlling the serotonin levels in a juvenile diabetic, type 1 or type 2, may help reduce health risks. These risks include psychosis as a result of sleep deprivation, depression, long-term high or low blood glucose levels, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Have your child’s vitamin D levels checked by their doctor. If levels are low or deficient, try to work in food sources of vitamin D, such as shrimp, salmon, cod liver oil and vitamin D fortified milk. You may want to ask your doctor about the use of vitamins and supplements to increase vitamin D levels. Have levels regularly checked to monitor absorption and proper dosage for your child.

Tags: Diabetes, Juvenile, Vitamin

Shot May Reverse Type 1 Diabetes
Medical researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are currently testing if a long-used vaccine a simple shot or series of shots over time — could reverse type 1 diabetes.

Read more on WCVB Boston

Tags: Diabetes, Reverse, shot, type

Juvenile diabetes or Type 1 diabetes is common among children. Every year, around 13,000 new cases of Juvenile diabetes are reported in America. True to its name, it mostly attacks the children but adults as well come into its hold.

In juvenile diabetes, shortage of supply of insulin and glucose builds up in the bloodstream as cells are unable to use it. The body is unable to use the entire glucose because it is available in the bloodstream only.

This increases hunger. You consume more food, but suffer from fatigue. Frequent urination is another symptom of this type of diabetes. What happens later is insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas are totally destroyed by body’s own immune system. Hence the necessity arises to get the supply of insulin from the outside sources.

Some other specific symptoms of Type I diabetes are:

In women, absence of menstruation, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting mark the arrival of this disease. Unbearable abdominal pain, abrupt weight loss despite normal or increased appetite, exhaustion when you walk short distances, more exhaustion if you climb are the other common symptoms.

You can not arrive at the final conclusion with regard to the diabetes condition with the presence of the above conditions alone. For further confirmation, diagnostic approach is also necessary. The most desirable test is insulin test. This test gives the firm indications/results, whether you have the diabetes or not.

As soon as the symptoms re-confirmed, hospitalization is the initial step to regulate the insulin level. But diabetes is not a disease that has the guaranteed cure. Though, it can be controlled with apt care. There is also the fear of Type I diabetes turning to Type II diabetes. You need to understand your diabetes in proper perspective by knowing about the diabetic related problems. Call it diabetic education. Dietary changes are inevitable as diet is the important factor for curbing as well as increasing the diabetes condition.

Take control of the disease; never allow it to take control of you. If you ignore the disease at the initial stages, it may lead to several other types of serious diseases such as high blood pressure, heart related diseases and paralysis.

Tags: Diabetes, Early, Identify, Juvenile, Roots, type

Photo: Ready to walk to fight juvenile diabetes
Photo courtesy Joe Witkiewicz The Sykora family of St. Charles – mom Kelly, Jeremy Jr., Madison, and dad Jeremy holding Morgan – hold up sneakers for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and will participate in a Walk to Cure Diabetes Sept. 25 (during Oktoberfest) in Frontier Park in St. Charles. To register, visit walk.jdrf.org.

Read more on Suburban Journals

Tags: Diabetes, fight, Juvenile, Photo, Ready, Walk

Sometimes simple solutions rule. Isn’t it great when that happens? Well, recent research shows that a simple solution can help prevent juvenile diabetes for millions of children all around the world – and simple salmon is the solution!

Research from a nationwide study at the Norwegian Institute of Health revealed that when parents give their children cod liver oil (don’t worry, I’ll get to the salmon), during their first year of life, the risk of juvenile diabetes goes down by more than 25%. That’s significant. And the discovery was so important it was published in the highly respected, peer-reviewed American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Scientists believe the reason for these results is the inflammation reducing capabilities of omega 3 fatty acids in certain fish with high EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Those names are a mouthful, but they work wonders. And salmon is the highest source of EPA and DHA. (See, I told you I’d get to the salmon!)

There are two kinds of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. In both diseases, the body is unable to make insulin properly or use and store glucose. This causes blood sugar problems. Type 2 diabetes is traditionally adult onset. But, because of poor lifestyle health habits, more and more children are developing Type 2 diabetes.

Juvenile onset diabetes (type 1) usually begins in childhood or adolescence. And then the production of insulin shuts down entirely requiring daily insulin injections. Over time, there are often complications for insulin-depend diabetics. Within 15 years of the onset, over 80% end up with major eye damage. Some have kidney failure and need kidney dialysis to survive. And 35% of juvenile diabetics die from heart attacks before their mid-fifties.

Isn’t it great that omega 3 fish are swimming to the rescue? But, it’s not the first time. Over the past two decades, research has proven that EPA and DHA have many incredible health benefits, including positive results for people with type 2 diabetes. Now this new study shows omega 3 fish oil can also help prevent type 1 juvenile onset diabetes. Kind of makes you want to kiss a fish. (Or maybe not!)

EPA and DHA are found in cold water fish like cod and salmon. And salmon, from unpolluted Arctic Ocean waters, is the purest, most potent source. Since a common cause of type 1 diabetes is autoimmune disease, scientists believe the extraordinary natural, anti-inflammatory, immune building properties of omega 3 fish are what helps to prevent Juvenile Diabetes.

When taken by a mother during pregnancy and nursing, pure fish oil with EPA and DHA provides many other life-long health benefits for children. For example, it greatly improves a baby’s nervous system, vision and hearing. Research also shows omega 3 fish oil is vitally important for the development of a baby’s brain and produces higher intelligence.

So, if you want your child to grow up smart, strong and healthy and be well equipped to swim up stream, my recommendation is to make sure you and your family eat more cold water fish and add high quality omega 3 salmon oil capsules to your diet.

Tags: diabetics, Fish, from, help, Juvenile

Nick Jonas is the new National Chairman of JDRF’s Walk to Cure Diabetes: walk.jdrf.org. Since the founding of JDRF in 1970, the organization’s largest and most successful fundraising program, the Walk to Cure Diabetes, has raised over 90 million dollars to go towards type 1 diabetes research.

Tags: Chair, Cure, Diabetes, JDRF's, jonas, National, nick, Walk

Juvenile Diabetes, also known as type 1 diabetes, is a disease that affects nearly 210,000 children and young adults under the age of 20 with approximately 15,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Diabetes in children commonly occurs during puberty between the ages of 10 to 12 in girls and 12 to 14 in boys and it is also important to note that children whose parents or other siblings have diabetes are at a greater risk of developing the disease themselves.

The sudden onset of juvenile diabetes is caused by the inability of the pancreas to manufacture insulin. It is thought that genetic predisposition and autoimmune dysfunction destroy the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, rendering them unable to produce insulin, which is needed to control blood sugar levels.

Many times the parents are caught unaware and off guard that their child has diabetes. They have many questions asking how this could happen or what they could have done to prevent it. Unfortunately there is no known way to prevent the onset of juvenile diabetes but if the parent is able to catch the tale-tell symptoms early and their child is positively diagnosed there is less chance of long term complications.

The symptoms of Juvenile Diabetes are much the same as for adults but children may not recognize that something is wrong because they can be subtle. The early warning signs that parents should be on the lookout for include.

1. Frequent bathroom trips – High blood sugar increases the amount of blood that is filtered through the kidneys, leading to an increase in urinary output.

2. Being thirsty all the time – Dehydration caused by the high urine output leads to an increased thirst.

3. Increased hunger and eating – The lack of insulin keeps the sugar in the blood, starving the cells for the energy they need to function. Because of this perceived energy deficit the body responds with hunger pains.

4. Weight loss – Despite the fact that the child is eating more the body will start to break down it own muscle and fat stores to make up for the perceived loss of energy sources, namely blood glucose.

5. Fatigue – The inability of glucose to cross from the blood stream into the cells causes a loss of energy leading to chronic fatigue. The irregularity in protein and fat metabolism can also lead to fatigue.

6. Increased irritability and depression.

7. Vision problems – High blood glucose levels cause an increase in blood volume which can cause the lens of the eye to swell.

These symptoms can occur alone but because diabetes is a disease that affects entire bodily functions there is a good chance that these symptoms will start slowly but will occur as a group. If one is noticeable it is a good idea to ask your child if they are experiencing any of the other known signs.

The sooner the symptoms of juvenile diabetes are recognized the sooner the child can be taken to the doctor for the proper tests to diagnose this disease. Diabetes in children, while incurable, can be managed successfully with a combination of insulin therapy and diet. Left untreated diabetes can cause a whole host of complications that can seriously affect any diabetics ability to live a normal life.

Tags: Diabetes, Juvenile, Know, symptoms, They