Juvenile Diabetes Life Expectancy

It is difficult to imagine that a child can be diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Even though the disease has the ability to ravage the child's body, it is still quite manageable when proper attention is focused on it. But does having the disease lower the child's life expectancy?

In the past, there was a significant difference in the life expectancy for those suffering from juvenile diabetes and those of the same age who were not diabetic. This occurred despite the proper management of their disease. However, in recent years, the advancements of treatment options for the disease have allowed these diabetics to enjoy virtually the same life expectancy as their non-diabetic counterparts.

Up until the last year of the baby boomer phase, which was 1964, a child diagnosed with juvenile diabetes could only expect to live an average of a little over 54 years. That was with the individual taking good care of themselves and maintaining their disease as well as could be expected.

Starting in 1965, children diagnosed with type 2 can expect their life span to be increased to almost 69 years- signifying an incredible jump. This is close to the average life expectancy for the general public. Children who are non-diabetic and born during the same span of time have a life span of just over 72 years. The difference of just over three years is a dramatic difference from before.

What are the reasons for the increase? The development of portable blood glucose meters, for one. These weren't around before so their existence allows a much easier time managing levels. In the past, long-term blood sugar levels could not be tested as they can be today.

Dispensing insulin was also a problem. There was no such device like an insulin pump and even the different choices of insulin were yet to be created.

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