From the flu to colds to sore tummies – children tend to get sick frequently.  So when you’re child seems thirsty all of the time, has to urinate frequently or even is just tired all of the time, you may attribute those symptoms to a common childhood illness.

Diabetes may be the last thing on your mind.  Diabetes is sometimes called the “great pretender” since its first symptoms, like those described above, are often mistaken for those of more common childhood problems.

Type 1 diabetes, or juvenile diabetes, is one of the most common chronic diseases in children.  Nearly one child out of every 400 develops it.

When children develop diabetes, it’s almost always because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin.  The hormone insulin, which is made in the pancreas, helps the body to change food into energy.  In people with diabetes, either the pancreas doesn’t make insulin or the body cannot use insulin properly.  As a result, they must depend on insulin injections to control their blood glucose levels – also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), Type 1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes.

While insulin helps to keep people with Type 1 diabetes alive, it does not cure the disease, nor does it prevent the development of serious complications.  High blood sugar can damage blood vessels, nerves and organs.  Potential complications from Type 1 diabetes include:

Retinopathy: a progressive eye disease that destroys small blood vessels in the retina, eventually causing vision problems.  In its most advance form, it may cause blindness.

Nephropathy: a slow deterioration of the kidneys and kidney function which, in severe cases, can eventually result in kidney failure.
Cardiovascular disease: a range of diseases that include stroke and heart attack.

Neuropathy: nerve damage that can lead to loss of feeling and sometimes pain and weakness in the feet, legs, hands and arms. 

Warning Signs of Juvenile Diabetes
Classic symptoms of diabetes may include extreme thirst, the need to urinate frequently, drowsiness, sudden vision changes and weight loss despite a good appetite. 

Children with diabetes must learn early about monitoring and controlling their body’s glucose levels.  It’s often difficult in young children, who don’t like to get pricked for blood samples or insulin injections and who don’t fully understand their illness.  For adolescents and teenagers, the fear of being “different” or labeled “sickly” may prevent them from properly taking care of their condition. 

Children with diabetes should begin by following a balanced diet to control their glucose intake and they must exercise regularly to help control their blood glucose levels and reduce their risk of long-term complications of diabetes. 

With some encouragement, care and good practical knowledge about diabetes, children can learn to live happy, healthy lives in spite of the disease.