Diabetes affecting the children is known as Juvenile Diabetes. Juvenile Diabetes can affect children of all age groups. Diabetes is a disease which is produced because of the inability of the pancreas to make or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone which is required to modify sugar, starches, and other food substances into energy which is required for daily life. Onset of juvenile diabetes is generally acute or sub-acute. In several children below the age of fifteen years, diabetes appears suddenly. The course of the disease can vary from few hours to few weeks.

Types Of Diabetes

There are two chief types of diabetes. They are Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 diabetes, which is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes is produced by the autoimmune destruction of the B cells of the pancreas which generally secretes insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes which results due to insufficient production of insulin by the body.

Causes

• Family history /Heredity

• Viruses – Few viruses can combine with inherited susceptibility and develop diabetes.

• Genetics

• Childhood Vaccinations

• Environmental factors

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Food Allergy - Children who are genetically prone can develop type 1 diabetes in later life on drinking cow’s milk during infancy. There are certain proteins in cow’s milk which offer antigen that forces the immune system to attack its own tissues. Hence, the secretion of insulin by beta cells in the pancreas is affected.

Symptoms of diabetes in children

Few of the symptoms that are experienced by children due to diabetes are as follows:-

• In creased thirst and increased urination causing bed-wetting.

• Slow development of the child as compared to other children.

• Abdominal pain.

• Vomiting.

• Dehydration and acidosis.

• Child loses weight and appears lean.

• Child prone to respiratory and other infections.

• Sweet smelling breath.

• Skin and tongue dry.

• Child feels drowsy.

• Low Blood Pressure.

• Pulse weak.

• Child may go into a semi-conscious or unconscious state in advanced stages.

Treatment

It is important to diagnose and treat diabetes in children, at an early stage. The aim of the treatment shall be to attain normal physical, mental and emotional growth of the child. The treatment of juvenile diabetes includes insulin administration, diet regulation and exercise. Homoeopathy has a great role to lay in the treatment of children diabetes. Homoeopathy can also bring back the pancreas towards normal functioning incase the pancreas has not gone too far. Homoeopathy with life style modifications can make a difference in diabetes in children. Homoeopathy can help maintain healthy blood glucose levels within the normal range. In Type 1 diabetes, homoeopathy can control the complications of diabetes.

Prevention

Diabetes can be prevented by creating nutritional awareness, exercise and educational programs in school.