Juvenile Diabetes

Diseases | October 16, 2010 | Share

There are two types of diabetes – Type 1 also known as Juvenile Onset Diabetes and Type 2 – also known as Adult onset diabetes. A person is said to suffer from juvenile diabetes when the body produces just little or no insulin. Juvenile diabetes could occur in childhood, or surface in teenage and if most often inherited.

Kids who suffer from juvenile diabetes often have to take daily shots of insulin. The process can be a little over bearing and sometimes kids are embarrassed by the fact as well and feel left out because they are not allowed to consume a lot of foods. It is a chronic illness and it is essential for those who suffer from this Type 1 diabetes to balance their daily diet and take their insulin shots daily to stay alive.

Symptoms

Juvenile diabetes is a condition that cannot be ignored and one must tale note of the symptoms and rush to a doctor if there is even a slight inkling that the condition may exist. The risk is greater when someone in the family suffers from diabetes as well. Some of the most common symptoms are listed below:

- Tiredness or drowsiness without any exercise
- One wants to use the bathroom to urinate frequently
- Bruises or sores that take many days to heal
- Itchy and dry skin
- Weight loss without any exercise or dieting
- Numbness and tingling in one’s hand and feet

Lifestyle

Life for those suffering from juvenile diabetes can be very tough. Not are they only mentally pressurized because they are suffering from a chronic illness, they have to constantly make an effort to monitor their diet and therefore eating out becomes difficult, going for camping trips becomes difficult as they are constantly afraid that they may not be able to take the stress or not get the insulin injection on time.

However, a balanced diet and exercise is essential to stay in the pink of health. Today, a number of juvenile diabetics are living a happy and healthy life thanks to advancements in medicine.

Foods that should be avoided

A list of foods that should be kept at bay when one is suffering from juvenile diabetes is detailed below:

1) Salt : Salt is a silent killer. One must switch to inorganic vegetables and reduce the consumption of inorganic salt.

2) Sugar: Sucrose is another absolute no-no when it comes to diabetics. Diabetics should substitute the consumption of sugar with jiggery or honey.

3) Fat: Excessive consumption of foods that are rich in fat affect the condition adversely. Diabetics should try and avoid fried foods completely.

4) Meat: Red meat should be avoided. A rich vegetarian diet can be helpful. Poultry and eggs should be reduced too. If you cannot switch to a complete vegetarian diet, lean fish can be made part of the diet.

5) Milk Products: Low fat milk products should be substituted with whole milk products.

6) Tea and coffee: Try and avoid tea and decaffeinated coffee. Stick to herbal varieties of tea instead of feeding yourself coffee.
7) White flour: Replace white flour with whole grains, soya breads, unpolished rice and wholewheat.

Foods that do suit diabetics include: Bitter Gourd, Jamun (Indian Blackberry), Fenugreek, garlic, onion, flaxseeds, fibres, cinnamon and various antioxidants.

Varuna Mehta