Significance

• According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 40 children are diagnosed with juvenile diabetes every day. Most juvenile diabetics are diagnosed between the ages of 7 and 20 years, although diagnosis may be made earlier or later.
  
  

Causes

• According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, there may be a genetic component but, juvenile diabetes is primarily an auto-immune disorder. This means that the body is attacking the beta cells that produce insulin.
  
  

Symptoms

• Symptoms of juvenile diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, sudden and unexplained weight loss, lethargy, irritability, hyperventilation, blurry vision, coma and death.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Several tests are available to diagnose juvenile diabetes. Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) checks glucose after at least eight hours without eating or drinking. A value of 126 or greater is indicative of diabetes. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) checks glucose two hours after drinking a 75 gram glucose solution. A value of 200 or greater indicates diabetes. Another blood test is called the Hgb A1c. A value of greater than 6 percent means diabetes. The American Diabetic Association recommends using the FPG for economy's sake.
  
  

Treatment

• Juvenile diabetics must have daily insulin replacement injections to live. Diabetics commonly use long-acting and short-acting insulin that should be refrigerated. Injections are provided with a very fine needle and syringe or an insulin pump. Diabetics must also control glucose levels with a balanced diet. The American Diabetes Association says that no food is "off limits" as long as it is a part of a balanced and healthy diet. Daily exercise is essential in order to burn glucose, decrease the amount of insulin needed, to maintain a healthy weight and to manage stress. A written plan of action helps schools, camps and others work effectively with diabetics.
  
  

Warning

• Juvenile diabetes can be life-threatening if not treated properly; therefore juvenile diabetics should understand that complications include heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, atherosclerosis, eye damage and death.
  
  

Myths

• The American Diabetes association has created a list of "Diabetes Myths" that includes myths like: "You can catch diabetes from someone else," "People with diabetes can't eat sweets," "Eating too much sugar causes diabetes" and "People with diabetes must eat special diabetic food."