Understanding Type 1 Diabetes In Children

Genetics is a critical component in determining a number of factors that contribute to the appearance and healthy growth of an individual. For example, genetics determines the color of an individual's eyes or hair. In addition, a person's genetic makeup contributes to an individual's overall health and whether they may be afflicted with certain diseases or not. An example of health conditions that may be determined by a person's genetics is whether they are prone to Alzheimer's, cancer, cystic fibrosis, etc.

One additional example of a health disorder that can be passed through genetics is type 1 diabetes in children. Therefore, if concerned about type 1 diabetes in children or wishing to know additional information about this disease, it is important to know what type 1diabetes is, the symptoms exhibited and the causes of type 1 diabetes in children.

What Is Type 1 Diabetes In Children

Type 1 diabetes in children is a disease of the pancreas in which there is little or no production of insulin. Although this type of diabetes can be diagnosed in individuals of all ages, it is generally seen in young or adolescent aged children. Therefore, another name for type 1 diabetes is juvenile diabetes.

To address this condition, there are a number of elements that comprise a type 1 diabetes treatment program. Generally those elements consist of the a young child taking insulin, eating the proper food and at the proper times, engaging in physical activity, taking other types of medication to maintain a specific blood sugar level and a stringent preventative care plan to prevent illness.

Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes In Children

There are many associated symptoms of this serious disease found in young children. Typically those symptoms are exhibited through various physical reactions.

For example one of the major symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children is an excessive thirst and constant urination of the young child. This is due the fact that pancreas does not produce insulin which cause an excess buildup of sugar. It is the pancreas that helps it to break down the sugars that are produced in the body. Therefore, the body responds by drawing out the fluid. Correspondingly, this extraction of fluid from the tissues of the body results in frequent urination and causes the child to be extremely thirsty.

Another major symptom of type 1 diabetes in children is the symptom of extreme hunger. This is due to the fact that the child's metabolism is affected because of the inability of the pancreas to process the sugar. It is this lack of processing that creates a depletion of energy within the body and therefore the body's response is an extreme craving for food. In addition, is because of the inability of this process to be performed in providing energy to the body that also creates extreme fatigue in the affected individual.

One other major symptom of type 1 diabetes in children is the fact that the vision may become blurred. This is due to the fact that if the blood sugar with in the young adolescent is extremely high, there may be a buildup of fluid in the child's eyes and specifically the lens area.

Causes Of Type 1 Diabetes In Children

There are two specific causes of type 1 diabetes in children that have been identified is diagnosed with type I diabetes is because of genetics. This simply means that if are increased. In addition, there are certain viruses that have been identified that may trigger type 1 diabetes in children.