Children are diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when their pancreas (the organ that produces insulin) does not make enough insulin on its own or not enough to process the food that is eaten into glucose. Glucose is how our bodies get energy from the food we eat. If a child’s body is not processing the food the sugar (glucose) is spilled into the urine without being used for energy. Juvenile diabetes is also known as an autoimmune disease. The child’s cells destroy the cells in the pancreas that are needed to make insulin.

There are greater risks and complications associated with diabetes when it exists in young children. A good health care team and due diligence on the parents’ part is going to be needed to ensure the child receives the best care possible. As a parent you will have to check your child’s blood sugar levels regularly using a blood glucose monitor. It will also be your responsibility to ensure that a proper diet and regular physical activity are part of your child’s life.

It is important that other people who care for your child when you are not around know that he or she has diabetes. They need to know what to do in case of an emergency and the special dietary requirements your child requires. It is recommended to get a bracelet or other form of identification that your child can wear that advises they have juvenile diabetes.

There are going to be times when your child is going to need help to manage their diabetes and it may be an emergency situation because their blood sugar has dropped dangerously low. Your child should be wearing identification that advises everyone that they are diabetic and are taking insulin and a kit with the supplies needed to help them.

The kit should include instructions on what to do in case of an emergency and numbers to call (parents and health care providers). In addition glucose tablets, fast-acting food stuff should be included to raise your child’s blood sugar quickly. Good examples of these are juice boxes and hard candies. You should include a snack that is considered long-acting too. Something that will keep for a long time such as a granola bar is a convenient item to have. This is for situations where your child should be eating their next meal but unavoidably does not have access to food (in the car during a traffic jam or out with friends).

For your home emergency kit, you should include a means to keep your child’s insulin cold in the case of a prolonged power outage. A small cooler will work nicely for this. It is also a good idea to always have extra insulin on hand. Do not wait until you are out to pick up more, you never know when an emergency can happen that would prevent your from getting some – be prepared.

If your child is exhibiting these symptoms, they could be a sign that he or she has juvenile diabetes:

* Extreme thirst – this can be defined as a need to drink constantly without be satiated.
* Going to the bathroom to urinate more than usual. In some cases your child may wet the bed because of the increased need to urinate.
* Vision difficulties. Your child is complaining that they cannot see things properly or that they are blurry.
* Losing weight, you may notice a sudden drop in your child’s weight that is not linked to any other causes such as a recent bout of the flu.
* Mood changes, the highs and lows of your child’s blood sugar can cause them to be grumpy or bad-tempered with little provocation.
* A constant desire to eat, this is considered a symptom when the amount of food your child wants to eat is more than normal.
* Suffering from stomach aches or pangs with our without vomiting.

All of the above symptoms could mean that your child has diabetes but only blood work ordered by your doctor will prove that. Another point to note is that the above symptoms do not develop over time; it may be quite obvious to you that something is amiss as these changes can happen quite abruptly.

Knowing your child’s blood sugar level is crucial to good control of the disease. By using a monitor at home you will see if the diet and insulin that is being provided is sufficient. There are many brands of monitors available and the amount of blood required is a very small drop placed on a strip. The monitor will come with a lancet device to draw the blood from a finger tip – it is relatively painless and takes very little time.

In order to replace or supplement the insulin in your child’s body, a daily injection (sometimes more) is going to be required. In some cases a child will need more than one needle if the insulin from one is not lasting the entire day. You will learn how to monitor and adjust the level of insulin your child receives based on their blood glucose levels and advice from your doctor.

The other part of treating diabetes in children is a balanced diet and plenty of physical activity.Follow the food guide for children and limit the amount of treats that they are given. Daily exercise will help children maintain a healthy weight which in turns helps to control their blood sugar by limiting the amount of insulin they need. After a little bit of time treating diabetes will be come a way of life for you and your child. Expect an adjustment period in the beginning but it will get better as you learn more and get the diabetes under control.