symptoms of diabetes in children
From extreme thirst to constant hunger, sudden weight loss, frequent urination, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, and extreme fatigue, all the things we mentioned above can indicate the occurrence of diabetes in children.
How many types of diabetes do we have and which type is more common in children?
First of all, we must tell you that we have two types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. For each of these two types of diabetes, insulin is prescribed, and although type 1 is more common in teenagers and children, there is a possibility of contracting each of them in young people. In the following, we briefly talk about both types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. When insulin is not produced, sugar cannot move from the blood to the cells, and blood sugar levels rise over time.
People of any age, from early childhood to adulthood, get type 1 diabetes, but the average age when this type of diabetes is diagnosed is 13 years. For the treatment of type 1 diabetes, general methods such as lifelong use of insulin, blood sugar monitoring and diet management and exercise are recommended, which can help maintain blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
Type 2 diabetes
Less often, young children get this type of diabetes, and adults generally struggle with type 2 diabetes. In this type, insulin does not work properly and glucose builds up in the bloodstream.
The probability of developing type 2 diabetes increases with age, but research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that increasing children’s weight over time can increase the probability of developing diabetes symptoms in children. To treat type 2 diabetes, just like type 1 diabetes, they use general methods such as changing the diet, maintaining an average weight and increasing exercise.
What are the symptoms of diabetes in children?
The thing that you should pay attention to is that the symptoms of diabetes in children, teenagers and adults are similar, but there are small differences that make it easy for doctors to diagnose the disease. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children develop quickly within a few weeks, but type 2 diabetes is a slower process and it may take months or years before you can recognize the symptoms of diabetes in your children. What do you know about the properties of dark chocolate for health
The main symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents
Increased thirst and urination
Hunger
Weight Loss
tiredness
Irritability
blurred vision
Diabetes UK recommends that parents consider the following when caring for their child:
Toilet: Children may use the toilet frequently, which you should be aware of. Apart from that, one of the symptoms of diabetes in young children is the excessive and strange heaviness of diapers after a period of time.
Thirst: Children with diabetes generally drink more fluids than usual and cannot quench their thirst. As a result, you should also keep this issue in mind. Obesity diet
Tiredness: Your child may feel more tired than usual, which is one of the most common symptoms of diabetes in children.
Weight loss: If you see that your child has lost a lot of weight in a period of time, it is better to consider the possibility of diabetes and talk to a specialist doctor about it.
In the case of type 2 diabetes, the following symptoms appear in children:
Excessive urination, especially at night
tiredness
Unexplained weight loss
Itching around the child’s genitals
Slow healing of cuts and wounds
Blurred vision due to dry eyes
Apart from the things we mentioned above, another symptom of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes is the development of dark and velvety spots on the skin, which is called acanthosis nigricans, and it is more likely to occur in children.
What should we do if we suspect that our child has diabetes?
If you suspect that your child has any of the symptoms of diabetes in children, take him to the doctor immediately. Be sure to test your child’s blood sugar. If the result of this test includes a high blood sugar level, your GP will refer you to a diabetes specialist or hospital, where your child will be tested for diabetes.