Juvenile diabetes is classified as type 1 diabetes. This is a metabolic problem diagnosed in childhood where the child does not have enough insulin in her body to digest the sugars in the food she eats. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body absorb sugars. Because someone with juvenile diabetes has low insulin levels, she cannot absorb the sugars that she eats and they stay in her blood. Blood sugar is commonly known as glucose. Juvenile diabetes is a dangerous disease, because it will follow children into adulthood. People who are diabetic can develop blindness, lose their limbs, or suffer from disorders of the major organs. Diabetes can also lead to heart disease and heart failure. It is a disease that needs to be taken very seriously. Estimates indicate that over thirty American children will be diagnosed as diabetics each day. Parents need to be aware of the symptoms of juvenile diabetes. Common symptoms include thirst, hunger, extreme weight loss, fatigue, urination, particularly at night, vision problems, numbness in the extremities, and breathing difficulties. If you notice any of these problems in your child, you need to take her to the pediatrician to be examined further. It is imperative that diabetes treatment begins as soon as possible to keep any dangerous side effects of the disease from occurring. While there is currently no cure for juvenile diabetes, diabetes treatment options abound that can help children cope with this disease. One of the most important aspects of diabetes treatment is glucose monitoring. Glucose monitoring involves using a blood sugar monitor to test the glucose levels in the body. With glucose monitoring children learn when their blood sugar levels are too high or too low, and can act accordingly. A diabetes diet is another way to treat juvenile diabetes. A diabetes diet consists of plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and little to no sugar. Sugar is one of the worst things a diabetic child can have, because it instantly affects their glucose levels. Children who are diabetic should also avoid white flour, white rice, and white potatoes, as these turn to sugar in the body. Exercise should be combined with the diabetes diet to keep the child as healthy physically as possible. Finally, children with juvenile diabetes will need to take insulin in order to stay alive. Because their bodies do not create enough insulin, failing to take insulin could result in death. This is another reason for the importance of glucose monitoring, as it shows the child when they need to take their insulin. While juvenile diabetes is not an easy disease to learn to deal with, diabetes treatment options exist that can help a child live a happy, productive life in spite of this disease.