A diabetes test. [photo/ampathkenya.org]
The global prevalence of diabetes in children according to World Health Organisation findings is increasing by 3.5 percent annually. This figure has prompted the government to step in and educate the public through hospitals and community health centers on the condition.
The most common type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks its own insulin-producing pancreatic cells.
Insulin is a hormone that all cells need to move glucose from the blood to the cells and use it for energy. When insulin is insufficient or absent, blood glucose can rise to dangerous levels damaging various organs in the body and can be life-threatening.
The signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes include frequent urination, increased thirst as a result of an accumulation of too much sugar in the body, weight loss, and stomach pain. These symptoms can be detected both in school and at home by caregivers.
Once these symptoms are recognized one needs to go to the nearest health facility or chemist and have their blood sugar level measured. If the blood sugar reading is high: above 11.1 mmol/L one should see a healthcare provider at the nearest hospital for further management. Managing diabetes successfully essentially means to function like a normal pancreas.
This includes having the child or caregiver give insulin prior to major meals and when the blood sugar level is high, check their blood sugar levels prior to major meals and eat healthily.
One of the first hurdles for families is that to help the child, one must prick him or her with a needle. This will get easier for all involved.