| This is your child's life you are talking about. Type | | | | interacting with other children who live with the |
| 1 diabetes is a autoimmune disease. The pancreas | | | | disease. Be sure that your doctor makes an |
| and it's insulin producing abilities are destroyed by | | | | appointment for you and the child to see a |
| the body's own immune system response. The | | | | Diabetes Nurse Educator. Find out the information |
| cause is not really known but scientists believe | | | | that is important for your child to give to her |
| type 1 diabetes to be genetic. They also admit | | | | teacher. There should be an information list |
| that there are certain environmental issues that | | | | posted in your kitchen for the babysitter and you |
| can cause the problem. The Juvenile Diabetes | | | | should be certain that anyone you hire as a sitter |
| Research Foundation is dedicated to finding both | | | | understands your child's condition and follows her |
| the cause and a cure for this terrible disease. | | | | schedule and eating rules. If your child goes to |
| Here are some of the signs of type 1 diabetes: | | | | visit a relative or for an overnight with a friend, |
| Extreme thirst, sugar in the urine, sweet smelling | | | | this schedule and these rules should go with her in |
| breath, frequent urination, weight loss, increase in | | | | the form of a written list to be given to the adult |
| appetite, tiredness. | | | | in charge of the visit. Everyone in your child's life |
| Some of these symptoms can be mistaken for | | | | should understand just how important this |
| the flu. About 1 child an hour is diagnosed with | | | | information is to making certain your child remains |
| Juvenile Diabetes. If your child shows signs of any | | | | healthy. |
| of these symptoms you should consult your | | | | Your child needs to wear a medical alert bracelet |
| doctor before the more serious symptoms such | | | | or necklace in case of an accident when he or |
| as stupor or coma occur. Although scientists say | | | | she is without the family. If your child carries a cell |
| they believe the disease is genetic the truth is | | | | phone be certain that the first entry in the |
| that less than 15% have a first degree relative | | | | contacts section is ICE. Emergency personnel will |
| with the disease. | | | | recognize this as In Case of Emergency. In this |
| If your child has juvenile diabetes he should be | | | | listing you should include both parent's phone |
| careful of what he eats and should eat on | | | | numbers. |
| schedule. It will benefit the entire family to follow | | | | The general blood sugar ranges are: |
| the same diet and schedule. Those with type 1 | | | | Before Meals: 70-110 mg/dL |
| diabetes should eat smaller and more frequent | | | | At Bedtime: 100-140 mg/dL |
| meals. They should avoid fats in the diet. Foods | | | | Your doctor will tell you if there are any special |
| should not be fried; eat baked or steamed foods | | | | levels you need to consider. He will prescribe the |
| instead. Foods may be sauteed or pan cooked | | | | best testing method for your child. If medication is |
| with a non-stick spray such as Pam? I know kids | | | | advised, he will prescribe it and it should be taken |
| are crazy about ice cream but it should be limited | | | | on time at all times. If insulin is indicated, you and |
| to treats of sugar free low fat ice cream. Red | | | | your child will both need to learn how to load a |
| meats should be limited. Intake of starchy foods | | | | syringe and how to give the shots. The sooner |
| such as potatoes and rice should be limited. You | | | | the child learns the importance of giving his/her |
| should use brown rice, whole grain breads, cereals | | | | own shots; the better. Juvenile diabetes is hard to |
| and pastas. Beans should be included in the diet. | | | | manage but it can be done and the child can |
| Refined sugar should be avoided at all costs. | | | | pretty much have a normal life. One of the most |
| Children can satisfy their sweet tooth with sugar | | | | important things in a child's life is exercise. Juvenile |
| free foods and treats or with naturally sweetened | | | | diabetes is not an excuse for your child to sit in |
| treats such as fresh fruit. Don't over cook their | | | | front of the computer all day and all night. He/she |
| vegetables. | | | | should strive to be as normal as possible and |
| There are support groups for parents of children | | | | should exercise and enjoy sports that are of |
| with juvenile diabetes. Your doctor, clinic or | | | | interest. Keeping your child's life normal is as |
| hospital should have a listing available for you to | | | | important as keeping her blood sugar levels |
| consult. Children benefit by attending a juvenile | | | | normal. |
| diabetes camp in the summer time and by | | | | |