Juvenile Diabetes

Living with Juvenile Diabetes Diabetes medically known as diabetes mellitus is the name given to disorders in which the body has trouble regulating its blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels. Diabetes is due to one of two mechanisms inadequate production of insulin (which is made by the pancreas and lowers blood glucose) or inadequate sensitivity of cells to the action of insulin. (Definition). There are two different forms of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes is known as non-insulin-dependent. Type 1 diabetes often develops in children, adolescents, and young adults, so it's sometimes called "juvenile diabetes". “According to the American Diabetes Association, one out of every 300 children have type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 10% of all diabetes cases and about 1.4 million people in the USA have the disease.”(Marcus). Diabetes is not contagious. You cannot catch diabetes from someone who has it. Researchers continue to study how and why diabetes occurs in certain children and families. Although diabetes cannot be cured, it can be controlled. (What). Once Type1 Diabetes develops, the body can never produce insulin again ( ). Living with diabetes as a juvenile can be difficult for both the child and the parent and these different challenges can be overcome with better knowledge on the subject. To have better understanding of diabetes one must know what symptoms to look for. The hallmark signs include increased urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. Other symptoms include lethargy, confusion, dry skin, fruity breath, and glucose in the urine. “Type 1 diabetes does not show any specific pattern of inheritance but may show a familiar tendency; it has been postulated that it may be caused by a genetic component, an automotive response, or environmental influences….” (Hogan & White). Any of these influences cause destruction of beta