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Juvenile onset diabetes, more commonly known as Type I diabetes, is the most serious of the diabetic conditions and requires careful monitoring to be effectively controlled. This condition is caused by the inability of the body to produce enough insulin to adequately process carbohydrates, fat and protein. Daily injections of insulin are required to control this ailment. Untreated, this condition can result in stroke, heart disease, male impotence, kidney failure, blindness and various vascular conditions. Some severe cases result in gangrene to legs and feet.
Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes can include frequent urination, extreme thirst, genital itching, lowered immunity to infection, urinary tract and yeast infections, increased appetite, weight loss and, in advanced cases, vision impairment.
Diet is important in the treatment of this disease and the inclusion of food high in vitamins C and E along with foods with high fiber content can go a long way in helping to maintain proper health for a sufferer. If overweight, a weight loss may reduce the amount of insulin needed. Discuss diet and any reservations about eating certain foods with a physician or dietician. Always keep a snack on hand. Make it a habit to always keep a few hard candies handy for emergencies. Plan all meals beforehand and schedule insulin usage. If an emergency arises and you are unable to eat on schedule, you may need a snack to stave off hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Scheduling is of the utmost importance when managing juvenile diabetes. Do not be lax about checking blood sugar. You may need to perform the test up to four times a day or as your physician instructs. Keep glucose meter and test strips nearby when away from home. Learn how the proper way to give yourself insulin injections. Never inject the same spot twice in a row. Instead, rotate locations. Insulin pumps are available for people who for some reason have a hard time sticking with the insulin schedule. The pump is worn at all times and is programmed by the user. Before considering this type of apparatus, speak to a physician.
Plan to get more exercise since the activity lowers glucose just as insulin does. Avoid any habits that may be a risk for heart disease. Diabetics are already a high risk group for heart disease and indulging in a high fat diet, smoking or drinking alcohol excessively can multiply that risk. Obtain a medical alert bracelet identifying you as a diabetic and wear it at all times. This can be crucial in a medical emergency where you may not be able to communicate verbally.
If you have carefully followed a physicians' and/or dieticians' instructions and still have problems controlling blood sugar levels, seek help from your physician immediately so that the treatment plan can be modified.
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