Articles | Diabetes Healthy Solutions

Symptoms and Causes of Juvenile Diabetes

Has your child just been diagnosed with Juvenile diabetes?

Juvenile diabetes mellitus is more commonly called Type 1 diabetes. It is a metabolic syndrome and blood glucose levels are too high due to a deficiency of insulin secretion in the pancreas.

What does this mean to you and your family? There may be some changes ahead including changes to diet and day-to-day routines and of course managing insulin.

It may help to know you are not alone. Type one diabetes is one of the most common childhood diseases, with most people being diagnosed before they are 16 years old. We don’t yet know why, but around the world, type 1 diabetes rates are increasing annually, particularly in younger age groups.

One of the biggest challenges families and children with type 1 diabetes live with is the daily routine of attention to diet, time schedules, blood glucose testing, and insulin regimens.

All of these are monitored to keep blood glucose levels under control – something the body does naturally in most people. The risk of juvenile diabetes is higher than any other serious chronic disease of childhood.

Symptoms of Juvenile Diabetes

The symptoms of juvenile diabetes, (also known as type 1 diabetes) and type 2 diabetes are very similar.

It’s not always obvious that a child has type 1 diabetes. Symptoms appear in childhood problems that occur in everyday life. Nausea and vomiting may be misinterpreted as the flu.
Irritability, fatigue, and apathy can be attributed to the behavior of all children at one time or another.

The discovery of juvenile diabetes may occur during a visit to a doctor for other diseases such as vaginal yeast infection for girls or even a routine examination.

Rapid weight loss is one of the first symptoms of diabetes, especially if the child has also increased hunger in particular after eating. Other symptoms include :

frequent urination,
dry mouth,
fatigue,
blurred vision
and numbness or tingling in hands or feet.

Juvenile diabetes, along with other types of disease is not a contagious disease. Another misconception about the disease is the traditional belief that eating sweets can cause diabetes directly. In a sense, eating too much candy can also cause diabetes, because doing so can lead to obesity. But eating sweets alone does not cause diabetes. Stress, however, is a cause of juvenile diabetes or any type of diabetes.

Juvenile Diabetes is believed to be an autoimmune disease. There is also a strong hereditary component to childhood diabetes. The disease tends to run in families. Brothers and sisters of children with diabetes have at least 100 times the risk of developing juvenile diabetes as a child in a family unaffected.

Researchers believe an environmental trigger or virus causes the body to attack the beta cells in the pancreas. Once these cells are destroyed the body can not produce insulin.

Juvenile diabetes is a chronic health problem for children. There are many myths and misinformation about diabetes. There is also confusion between juvenile diabetes, (also known as type 1) and type 2 diabetes. The symptoms of both are largely the same, however, the cause and treatment are very different.

Diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), gangrene, and amputation. Being overweight, lack of exercise, family history, and stress increases the likelihood of developing diabetes.

When the blood sugar level is high and constant that leads to kidney failure, cardiovascular problems, and neuropathy. Patients with diabetes are four times more likely to have coronary heart disease and stroke.

Learn how vitamin D can help juvenile diabetes HERE!

Will There Be a Diabetes Apple Watch?

Apple Has A Top-secret Team Working On The Next Version Of The Diabetes Watch

Over the last decade, we have witnessed an acceleration of modern technological advances especially for people suffering from diabetes, a medical condition that affects over 30 million Americans.

These advances are promising diabetes patients,

fewer injections,
less pains,
less worry and
less mental math about managing this condition.

These new systems provide real-time and more accurate information on blood glucose through built-in clinical support algorithms, apps, automated insulin delivery, and wireless technology that reduce diabetes complications and the burden in general.

Apple Hires a Secret Team to Develop New Diabetes Treatment System

According to CNBC, AAPL (Apple) has hired a team of biomedical engineers to work on a sensor that will detect blood sugar levels, sparking reports of the company embedding the new sensors into wearable devices that could potentially be “must haves” for diabetes patients. However, it could be a long time before this new technology is actually available on the market. This initiative was envisioned by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, to develop a sensor that can continuously and non-invasively monitor blood glucose levels to better treat diabetes.

There are some recent successes: CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) systems including the Dexcom G5 Mobile continuous Glucose Monitoring System. This system uses a sensor through a very tiny catheter that is usually slipped just under the patient’s skin in order to provide glucose readings every five minutes. The sensor transmits information wirelessly to a stand-alone smartphone or receiver to alert the patient of downward or upward trends in their blood glucose so they can take appropriate pre-emptive action.

If successful, this revolutionary initiative by Apple could help diabetes patients turn various devices such as the Apple Watch into essential must haves. The breakthrough might be a holy grail for diabetes patients because many life sciences organizations have tried to no avail.

Tracking blood sugar levels accurately and non-invasively has proven to be highly challenging. However, According to people familiar with the matter, Apple has been carrying out feasibility trials and has hired a team of consultants to figure out the proper regulatory pathways.

The initiative has been going on for more than five years. Steve Jobs envisioned a wearable device like the Smart watch being used to accurately monitor vitals such as blood glucose, heart rate and oxygen levels. Apple quietly acquired Cor in 2010 after the then CEO Bob Mersserschmidit sent Steve a cold email about sensor technologies for human health and wellness. However, Bob later joined Steve jobs’ Apple Watch team.

The team reports to Apple’s vice president of hardware technology, Johny Srouji. As of a year ago, about 30 people were reportedly working in this group. However, it is speculated that about a dozen experts from companies such as Sano, Masimo, C Vital Connect, C8 Medisensors, and Medtronic have joined this secretive group while others joined the team dedicated to the Apple Watch.

The Diabetes Apple Watch Faces An Uphill Battle

According to three people familiar with the matter, Apple is dedicated to developing an optical sensor that will measure indications of blood glucose by simply shining a light through the patient’s skin. John L. Smith described this as one of the most difficult technical challenges he has ever encountered in his career. The process has been littered with failures but this has not stopped companies from attempting to crack this lucrative yet elusive opportunity.

Terrace Gregg, Dexcom Executive chairman told Reuters that to succeed, companies would incur several hundred dollars. However, the breakthrough would be a huge advantage for millions of people suffering from diabetes, open up potential channels for patients to track their blood glucose, and spur new medical research.

The Apple Watch would provide an easier and more convenient way for consumers to track their blood glucose.

However, Apple is not the only company eying the elusive opportunities in this field. Google’s life sciences team, Verily, is also working on a smart contact lens that will measure blood glucose through the eye. In 2015, the team also partnered with Dexcom to develop a device no bigger than the normal bandage that measures blood glucose.

According to the report by CNBC, Apple has hired an anonymous office away from its headquarters for biomedical engineers to work in total secret. The report also indicates that the team has been so successful it’s already conducting trials of the new sensor at various clinical sites in the Bay Area, San Francisco. The team’s recent success is the main reason why Apple has hired consultants to navigate the process of getting approval by the FDA.

One of the practical issues the team aims to overcome is the fact that reading blood glucose using optical issues is hard. On the other hand, there are numerous companies that have tried using non-invasive monitoring for blood glucose and failed. For instance, HealBe’s Go Be promised to count calorie intake non-invasively and failed terribly.

Right now, inserting a sensor just below the skin is the only effective way of continuously monitoring your blood sugar level. Continuous blood glucose monitors use internal sensors that connect with external transmitters that are often held, for example, on the thigh, tricep, or stomach. Even wearables such as the KTrack use very tiny needles that are burrowed into the patient’s skin.

Statistics from the WHO (World Health Organization) show that there are more than 422 million diabetes patients in the world. That is up from about 10 million in 1980, a very sharp increase for a condition that is known to be one of the leading causes of kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and blindness.

Moreover, more than 4 million deaths per year are directly related to complications with diabetes. Therefore, if Apple can innovate, where so many companies have failed, then it will undoubtedly make the number of consumers willing to buy the Blood Glucose Monitoring Watch, increase exponentially!

Turn your Smart Phone into a Smart Blood Glucose Meter!

What is Postprandial Blood Sugar?

For people with diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. As a result, blood sugar levels may be too high. Over time, consistently high blood sugar levels can lead to complications such as nerve, eye, kidney, and heart damage. Postprandial refers to after meals.

What is a postprandial blood sugar test?

Also known as a two-hour PPG test, a postprandial blood sugar test is done to see how the body responds to starch and sugar after a meal. As the body digests food in the stomach, blood sugar levels increase sharply. The pancreas responds by releasing insulin to help move glucose from the blood into cells of tissues such as muscles where it is used for energy or fuel. Two hours after eating, blood glucose and insulin levels should return to the normal range. However, if blood sugar levels remain high, it shows that you may have diabetes.

Why do you need the test?

In most cases, you may need a postprandial blood glucose level test if your physician wants to determine whether you have insulin-related disorders such as diabetes. Your healthcare provider may suggest this test if you have symptoms such as:

Tiredness
Frequent urination
Sores and wounds that heal slowly
Unusual thirst
Blurred vision
Repeated infections

For pregnant women, this test screens for gestational diabetes. Prompt treatment of gestational diabetes helps reduce risk for health problems for the mother as well as the baby.

Other tests that might be done with this test

In most cases, healthcare providers request other tests to evaluate or confirm diabetes diagnosis. These tests include:

Fasting blood sugar test: This test measures blood sugar levels after at least 8 hours without eating (overnight fast).
Glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C/HbA1c) test: Measures blood glucose levels over a period of about 3 months.
Glucose tolerance test: This lab test checks how the body moves glucose from the blood into muscle, fat and other tissue.

What do the lab test results mean?

Results usually vary depending on various factors such as the test method used, health history, gender, age, and other things. However, your test results do not necessarily mean you have a problem. Therefore, it is essential to consult your doctor about what the results mean specifically for you.

Results for postprandial blood sugar levels are usually displayed in mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and normal test results are:

For non-diabetics: below 140 mg/dL
For people with diabetes: below 180 mg/dL

In case your blood sugar level is still high 2 hours after eating, it indicates that you may have diabetes or prediabetes.

Factors that may affect postprandial blood sugar test results include:

Extreme stress
Smoking during the test period
Eating candy or snacks just before being tested
Working out just before you’re tested
Inability to eat as recommended

Notify your healthcare provider about all supplements, medicines, vitamins, and herbs you’re taking. This includes all illegal drugs as well as medications that don’t require a prescription.

Knowing your postprandial blood glucose levels gives you control over your condition

Information on your postprandial blood sugar levels can help you detect problematic areas in very important ways. According to the AACE (American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists) when blood sugar levels rise after meals, and remain elevated, it is usually hard to lower them to the desired range. It is important to keep in mind that continuously high A1C levels increase the risk of developing diabetes-related complications.

Measuring PPG helps determine whether pre-meal bolus insulin or dietary modifications are needed to reduce spikes. PPG therapy and monitoring is recommended for patients whose A1C levels remain above target even after achieving their pre-meal blood glucose targets.

Who should check postprandial blood sugar levels?

Your specific condition as well as your blood sugar level goals help determine how often PPG tests should be done. Your healthcare team can help you determine your target goals and testing regimen. According to the ADA, certain people should test blood sugar and PPG levels more frequently, these include:

Pregnant women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes
Patients who are trying a new insulin dosage or new insulin
People with uncontrolled diabetes
People who are under multiple medications
People who are at risk of low or high blood sugar

Carbohydrates make a higher contribution to postprandial blood sugar levels than the protein and fat content of a meal. Checking PPG on a regular basis helps you determine the best balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Therefore, it’s essential to learn how to count carbs in a bid to achieve your blood sugar level goals, especially after eating.

Read more about normal random blood sugar levels HERE.

The Latest in Diabetic Watches

Nowadays, diabetic watches (also known as glucose watches) are designed to be worn on the wrist just like a wristwatch. This is a non-invasive procedure where the monitor checks the level of blood glucose by inducing a painless electric shock that draws interstitial fluids from the skin pores in order for them to obtain the blood glucose level.

Besides being painless, and it has no side effects, the devices can be used at any time of day and as regularly as you wish. The monitor records the readings and it can also be set to alarm in case the readings are too low or too high. Diabetic watches have made it quite easy to track changes throughout the day.

Tips for purchasing Diabetic Watches

1. Result speed We are living in a fast-paced society where we want everything to be instant. Therefore, it is vital to purchase a diabetic watch band that guarantees instant results. Most glucose monitoring systems take less than 15 seconds to display the results.

2. Ease of use The display should be large enough in order for results to be clearly displayed and avoid reading errors. This is very helpful, especially for people who have poor eyesight. Keep in mind, that too many buttons or features could turn out to be overwhelming especially for the elderly.

3. Memory In case you want to store the history of your blood sugar readings your diabetes monitoring device must have a memory function. Some glucose monitoring systems also have data ports. This allows diabetes patients to download their historical blood sugar readings to their personal computers for detailed analysis.

4. Batteries Check the charging life of the batteries and the type of batteries required. Some monitors use batteries that are readily available in most stores whereas others use batteries that are only available in specific places.

Diabetic watches and the companies that manufacture them.

1. GlucoTrack This device was developed by Integrity Application and it uses three main technologies: conductivity, heat capacity, and ultrasonic. The device comprises a transmitter, main unit, processor, receiver, and an ear clip that contains sensors.

GlucoTrack DF-F model received CE-Mark approval in June 2013 and the Integrity application can sell this device in all the 28 European member states. Integrity Application hopes to submit GlucoTrack DF-F to regulators in the USA as soon as possible. Also, the company plans to conduct various clinical studies in the USA in the second half of 2014.

2. Symphony Symphony was developed by Echo-Therapeutics and it is a biochemical sensor-based trans-dermal continuous monitoring system that reads and interprets the glucose level measurements.

3. Multi-sensor glucose monitoring system This system was developed by researchers at Solianis Monitoring and it delivers continuous data on blood glucose variations using the OpticalBridge technology.

4. LighTouch Technology This device uses a technology that projects a spectrum of light into the patient’s finger. The device analyzes the colored light that is re-projected from the finger in order to measure the blood glucose level. Although Glucowatch was approved for use in the USA by the FDA in August 2002, this decision was reversed in 2007.

Non-invasive glucose monitoring means that it is not necessary to prick your skin in order to get blood samples. Besides eliminating the pain completely, it is a simple way to avoid the formation of scar tissue. A diabetic watch is a great accessory especially when it comes to taking proper care of diabetes patients. These gadgets and accessories are vital when it comes to

safe monitoring,
tracking,
management of diabetes in order to ensure that other medical problems and complications do not arise.

If left untreated, diabetes can easily cause grave medical complications.

Can diabetes really be reversed?

Here at Diabetes Healthy Solutions, we are monitoring the advancements in technology closely, with regard to Diabetic Watches so visit us regularly for further updates.

The Latest in Diabetic Watches 2022

Proper management of diabetes entails keeping track of your blood sugar levels. Diabetic watches offer a reliable way of tracking your blood glucose levels in real time. These watches also allow you to keep an eye on other aspects of your health, including your diet and physical aspects such as exercise and blood pressure which are also important to managing diabetes and other conditions.

More useful diabetes control tips here!

Why is it so difficult to monitor blood glucose non-invasively?

The process of keeping track of blood glucose traditionally involves using sensors implanted under the skin or drawing blood to take measurements in real-time. Companies are looking for solutions to these elements and taking the invasive component out of the equation.

These solutions mainly revolve around optical-based methods that are already being used for measuring body temperature, blood oxygen, and heart rate. According to Jake Leach, Dexcom’s chief technology officer, the company is currently working on the 8^th generation of its non-invasive device and he reports that the main challenge of measuring blood glucose noninvasively is being able to do it accurately and reliably.

How are big companies trying to make non-invasive blood glucose monitoring possible?

Products currently available on the market show that big players making fitness trackers and smartwatches have been trying to solve the problem of providing glucose monitoring non-invasively from the wrist. Although some companies have been more open about their goals than others to make it a reality, there has been plenty of speculation about others that they have been putting a lot of research hours into this.

Apple

Apple is obviously one of the biggest players in the game and it was definitely interested in blood glucose monitoring even before the popular Apple Watch was a thing. It is rumored that Apple CEO Tim Cook was testing out a CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) device even before the release of the Series 3 Apple Watch.

In 2018, Apple won a patent for non-invasive glucose monitoring that uses light-based optical monitors that measures a particular substance in blood and monitors its changes in a bid to determine blood glucose levels.

Recently, there has been speculation that Apple is working on a watch that can track glucose levels and that the company was testing the “stability and reliability” of its functionality before it’s launched. Apple has also secured a deal with Rockley Photonics, a UK startup that develops optical based sensors focused towards delivering blood glucose data.

Samsung

Samsung, one of Apple’s biggest rivals wants in on the treasure hunt too. It has already managed to provide blood pressure monitoring and ECG data. There’s also speculation that a Samsung watch that keeps track of blood glucose is in the works. Apparently, Apple is collaborating with MIT to develop glucose monitoring support on its wearable devices.

Alphabet

Alphabet and Verily have secured a joint venture with Dexcom to develop a CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) sensor. An update on the partnership shows that they are developing a device embodied in their G7 product. However, the product has not been launched commercially. According to Leach, their collaboration is largely about making their wearables smaller so that they are more comfortable and more convenient to wear. This relationship has yielded some electronics that have allowed them to miniaturize even further with the G7 which is up to 60% smaller, a huge advancement in innovation.

Fitbit

Before being acquired by Google, Fitbit was already exploring the possibility of keeping track of blood glucose levels from its devices. The company collaborated with One Drop to help incorporate diabetes management into Fitbit smartwatches. Moreover, a united Healthcare partnership was created, which saw participants given a Dexcom and Fitbit monitor to determine how their diabetes was impacted by activity.

One of Fitbit’s biggest investments in diabetes was a $6 million stake in Sano, a company that is working on a coin-sized, painless patch that tracks your glucose levels. The patch works by reading the interstitial fluid under the skin and is hence painless when getting a reading.

The bottom line

Diabetic watches are both useful and fun and have a wide range of features that some people would never think of. Some smartwatches may even allow users to reply to texts and emails or even answer calls in some cases.

Keeping track of your blood sugar levels doesn’t have to be scary and stressful. Also, there’s no need to settle for bulky and cumbersome watches. Diabetic watches come in a wide variety of prices, models, and styles. Each diabetic watch comes with different features and discovering the best fit for you is not hard considering all the great choices available on the market as well as the prospects for future devices.

More on the Non Invasive Glucose Meters HERE!

Low Sodium Diabetic Diet

Upon being diagnosed with diabetes, one of the main concerns is probably how you’ll control your carbs intake. However, there is another nutrient that every type 2 diabetes patient should take into consideration: sodium.

What is the relationship between diabetes and sodium?

Sodium is an important electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance in the body and ensure proper nerve and muscle function. However, data from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) shows that 89% of adults are getting too much salt.

When the body is unable to get rid of the excess salt, it can lead to various complications including high blood pressure, one of the main risk factors for heart disease.

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Statistics linking heart disease and diabetes are enough to motivate you to limit your sodium intake. According to the AHA (American Heart Association), diabetes patients are 4 times more likely to suffer from heart disease compared to people who don’t have the disease.

This can be attributed to the fact that type 2 diabetes patients are typically more prone to heart disease due to risk factors such as having “bad” or LDL cholesterol, living a sedentary lifestyle, carrying excess weight, and having high blood pressure.

How much salt should you eat when you have diabetes?

Salt contains 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Therefore, limiting your salt intake plays a big role in lowering your sodium intake and thus your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends diabetes patients limit their intake of sodium to 2,300 mg (1 teaspoon of salt) daily.

Lowering your intake even further to just 1,000 mg per day helps blood pressure. However, recommendations may vary per person and it’s therefore important to consult your physician to find out which sodium intake limit would work best for you.

According to a study published in the Journal Circulation in May 2017, 70% of sodium is found in processed and restaurant food. Therefore, the best way to cut back on sodium intake is to avoid processed food and limit the number of times you dine out each week.

Shopping can be daunting at first. However, after the first few visits spent making comparisons, it will be a breeze. It is particularly important to keep in mind that sodium can hide in surprising places, such as packaged oatmeal, bread, and certain condiments. Therefore, your dietitian or doctor may ask you to avoid or limit high salt foods such as:

Salt seasonings (seasoned salt)
Canned meats
Processed or cured foods
Boxed mixes of pasta, rice or potatoes
Canned vegetables and soups (with sodium)
Salad dressing, mustard, ketchup, canned sauces, and other spreads
Pickled foods
Packaged gravies, sauces, or soups
Salty snack foods
Olives
Processed meats: sausage, ham, bacon, and lunch meat.
Steak and soy sauces
MSG (monosodium glutamate) which is commonly found in Chinese food

Tips for low sodium diabetes diet

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, these low-salt cooking tips will help you limit your sodium intake:

Go for fresh foods or ingredients with no added salt
Try pineapple or orange juice as the main base for marinades
For favorite recipes, decrease or delete the salt you normally add or simply use other ingredients.
Avoid canned vegetables, soups, and entrees; rice and pasta mixes; instant cereal; frozen dinners; and gravy, sauces, and pudding mixes.
Use frozen entrees that contain less than 600mg of sodium per serving. Be sure to check nutrition fact labels on packages for sodium content.
Use frozen, fresh, or canned vegetables with no added salt.
Opt for canned soups with low sodium content.
Avoid spice blends and mixed seasonings that contain garlic salt and other salts.

The body adjusts fast and after about 2 weeks you’ll not miss added salt in your food.

Which seasonings can you use to replace salt?

Some of the spices and herbs you can use to improve natural flavors in your diet include:

Cinnamon
Basil
Chives
Cumin
Celery seeds
Cocoa powder
Chili powder
Garlic and garlic powder
Dill
Flavoring extracts (almond, vanilla, etc.)
Curry
Lime or lemon juice
Mint
Nutmeg
Marjoram
Paprika
Onion powder
No-salt seasoning blends
Pepper
Rosemary
Thyme
Sage
parsley
Pimiento
Savory
Paprika

According to research published in the October 2014 issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, people with type 2 diabetes who had the highest intake of salt increased their risk of heart disease by up to 200% compared with patients who consumed the lowest amount.

The researchers concluded that limiting sodium intake goes a long way in preventing the complications of type 2 diabetes.