CITY OF SAN FERNANDO---The Department of Health Region III (DOH-3) has stepped up its awareness campaign on Juvenile Diabetes or Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM), which commonly affects children and young persons.
The DOH-3 said that T1DM is a condition in which the immune system attacks the islets of langerhans or beta cells of the pancreas leading to the destruction of insulin-making cells.
Its early detection and treatment will prevent serious complications but if left untreated, it may lead to other risks such as glaucoma, cataract, diabetic neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, foot damage or brain stroke, DOH-3 added.
The agency said that an estimated five to ten percent of patients with diabetes have T1DM, according to the Diabetes Report 2000-2045 which showed the increasing cases of juvenile diabetes in the country.
Children have a three to four percent chance to develop diabetes if the mother is diabetic, and six to nine percent chance if the father is diabetic.
Signs and symptoms of juvenile diabetes include polyuria or frequent urination, polydipsia or increased thirst, polyphagia or increased hunger, lack of weight gain in keeping with poor gain in height, fatigue, and blurred vision.
The DOH-3 clarified that Type 1 Diabetes is treatable and its complications are preventable by following measures like knowing the signs and seeking consultation.
Juvenile diabetes, it added, can be treated through insulin therapy, compliance to treatment, and regular follow-up, monitoring and screening.
A healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, and regular physical activity will help prevent diabetes or delay its complications.
DOH-3 encouraged the public, especially diabetic patients and their families, to avail of free consultations, check-ups, glucometer, glucose test trips, and access to insulin provided by the government through rural health units, municipal or city health offices, health centers and DOH hospitals to prevent further complications.