Although Juvenile Diabetes normally begins in childhood, it should be noted that it can develop until a person is into their forties. We are talking about insulin-dependent Diabetes. Juvenile Diabetes affects over 200,000 children and young adults under the age of 20. There is no current cure and insulin must be administered on a daily basis.
The sudden onset of Juvenile Diabetes is caused by the inability of the pancreas to manufacture insulin. It is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and autoimmune dysfunction. It is not caused by eating too much sugar as many uninformed people seem to believe. Since blood sugar levels skyrocket without enough insulin production, shots of insulin must be taken.
Symptoms of Juvenile Diabetes are not always easy to recognize in children but if you are aware of what signs to look for you will more quickly be able to have your child tested.
Watch for these Early Warning Signs:
1. Frequent Urination - this may also be apparent in a child who previously did not wet the bed and has started to do so, plus more frequent bathroom trips during the day.
2. Extreme Thirst - be aware of increased drinking of fluids, which is caused by the increased urination.
3. Extreme Hunger - the lack of insulin keeps sugar in the blood, starving the cells for needed energy.
4. Fatigue / Weakness
5. Irritability / Lack of Concentration
6. Blurred Vision - this happens when blood sugar levels are really high, causing the lens of the eye to swell.
Since we are now entering the cold and flu season, now is the time to think pro-actively to help your kids and yourself from getting the flu. It is extremely important to try and build up your immunity before the flu strikes your geographic area. As we all know, once it starts spreading, it can spread like wild-fire. Here are a few tips to follow to help you and your child to stay healthy when everyone around you is falling ill.
1. AVOID SUGAR & PROCESSED FOODS Although it is difficult to avoid every food in this group, you can take an active role in minimizing the amount of foods your family consumes in this category. Studies show that sugar and processed foods depress the immune system. Besides obvious choices, read labels and try to avoid these ingredients: corn syrup, fructose, HFCS, brown rice syrup, sucrose, barley malt and, of course, sugar.
2. PROVIDE FRESH FOODS WHEN POSSIBLE We are talking about actual fresh fruits and vegetables, however you can get them into your family. Even though juices sound very nutritious, they are not nearly as good a choice, as the Vitamin Cis often added after the juice has been fully processed.
3. GET PLENTY OF SLEEP Make sure your children get 8-10 hours of sleep each night. The body works to rebuild the immune system when we sleep.
4. BE ALERT FOR FATIGUE SYMPTOMS If you or your child seem more fatigues than normal, this can be an early warning that you are on the brink of getting sick. The best way to fight the flu or an oncoming cold is to get extra rest. To keep the immune system at peak performance, extra rest is required at these key times.
New studies are proving that vitamin D is an important nutrient that can help prevent many diseases such as cancer, depression, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular disease.
There are a few different ways to get vitamin D. Vitamin D may come from foods or vitamin supplements; vitamin D can also be made by the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet rays (UV light).
Vitamin D deficiency is often missed because there are no real symptoms associated with it. Rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones) are the most common signs of vitamin D deficiency but there is no way for parents to tell if their child is suffering from these illnesses. The only way to prove that your child is vitamin D deficient is by completing a blood test which screens for a particular form of vitamin D, called 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D).
Considering the recent, widespread concern about High Fructose Corn Syrup, and the reports of it containing mercury, many parents and consumers, in general, have been opting for products that only contain Sugar, a natural sweetener. Even the first lady, Michelle Obama, has chosen not to give her children products containing HFCS.
Sugar is produced from cane or beet sugar. High fructose corn syrup is produced by a complex series of chemical reactions that includes the use of three enzymes and caustic soda. And alarmingly, Mercury has been reported to be found in as much as 50% of commercial HFCS. It has been found in many, many products eaten by children. And with the alarming increase of Autism and developmental disorders, parents should rightfully be concerned.
There has been so much concern since the reports came out about HFCS, that some of the biggest companies in the US food business have begun replacing high fructose corn syrup with old-fashioned sugar. Kraft Foods recently removed the corn sweetener from its salad dressings and is working on removing it from their Lunchables line of meals and snacks.
Obviously, as with all things, Sugar should be used in moderation. We get good sugars from the fruits and vegetables we eat and offering children a good supply of these foods will be a much healthier choice than any processed foods. We, as parents, need to keep these healthy choices on hand. Back to basics is the best policy.
So, choose the safer alternative, Sugar, when buying any packaged foods. Your family will be healthier because of your efforts.
Since we are now entering the cold and flu season, now is the time to think pro-actively to help your kids and yourself from getting the flu. It is extremely important to try and build up your immunity before the flu strikes your geographic area. As we all know, once it starts spreading, it can spread like wild-fire. Here are a few tips to follow to help you and your child to stay healthy when everyone around you is falling ill.
