The significance of type 1 adolescent diabetes
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by insufficient insulin production in the human body. Insufficient insulin in the body causes impaired absorption of glucose. This leads to retention of glucose in the blood and glucose deficiency in the body. Type 1 diabetes is prevalent among the adolescent and young adults. In this regard, it is commonly referred to as the diabetes of the juvenile or adolescents. This disorder is caused by a virus that initiates the body to produce antibodies that destroy beta cells found in the pancreas. Another common cause of the Type 1 diabetes is swelling or removal of the pancreas due to complications. This paper focuses on the nature, impact, and management of Type 1 adolescent diabetes.
Statistics and impact of Type 1 adolescent diabetes
Type 1 diabetes among the U.S. adolescents has been rising in the recent past. Research shows that over 25 million Americans suffer from the disease. Similar research reveals that at least one in every 500 adolescents is diabetic. Diabetes has increased the cost of health care. According to the American Diabetic Association website, the cost of treating diabetes has increased from $174 billion in 2007 to $245 billion in 2012. Based on the National Health Service report, the disease has reduced the mortality rate by contributing to over 200,000 deaths annually. The report further asserts that adolescent diabetes is responsible for many other health complications experienced during teenage stage. For instance, medical experts assert that the disease increases the chances of heart attack, hypertension, kidney failure, neurotherapy, blindness, and impotence.
Clinical guidelines of Type 1 adolescent diabetes
The patient experiences weight loss, persistent thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue sensation. To diagnose the disease in an individual, glucose levels in his or her urine and blood samples are accessed. The treatment of the disease involves manual administration of insulin into the patient’s bloodstream. Therefore, Type 1 diabetes patients have to inject artificial insulin into their blood veins regularly. Another treatment measure prescribed by physicians requires the patients to avoid foods with high glucose content. Diabetes experts assert that proper observation of the routine injection is sufficient to manage Type 1 diabetes. On the other hand, failure to adhere to the routine injection is fatal.
Psychological issues of the Type 1 adolescent diabetes
Diabetes patients in an adolescent stage undergo through intense psychological stress compared to patients of other age groups. It is reported that a number of Type 1 diabetes patients are more emotional compared to other patients due to the stigma associated with the routine administration of the insulin hormone. Adolescent patients suffer from denial and isolation from the rest of the society leading to loneliness and frustrations. Such individuals may be discriminated by their immediate family members and friends. Research shows that Type 1 diabetes patients suffer from low self-esteem owing to social discrimination. Low self esteem among the teenagers has increased the number of individuals suffering from depression. Researches reveal that the highest rate of depression among Type 1 diabetes patients is prevalent at the age of 15. Notably, the National Health Service reports indicate that 50 percent of the adolescent suicides are associated with the depression caused by Type 1 diabetes.