Symptoms related to diabetes to watch for in your child

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Although it is commonly associated with adults, children can also develop diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, around 193,000 children and adolescents under the age of 20 have diabetes. 

Type 1 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in children, but type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to the rise in childhood obesity. As a parent, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of diabetes in children to ensure early diagnosis and proper treatment. 

Here are some of the symptoms to watch for:

Frequent urination

If your child is urinating more often than usual, it could be a sign of diabetes. The kidneys try to remove excess glucose from the blood by filtering it out and sending it to the bladder. This leads to an increase in urine production, resulting in frequent urination.

Excessive thirst

If your child is drinking more fluids than usual and still feels thirsty, it could be a sign of diabetes. As the body tries to get rid of excess glucose through urine, it also loses fluids. This leads to dehydration, causing your child to feel thirsty.

Extreme hunger

If your child is hungry all the time and constantly asking for food, it could be a sign of diabetes. The body's inability to produce insulin or use it properly leads to high levels of glucose in the blood. This results in hunger even after eating a meal.

Fatigue

If your child is tired all the time, it could be a sign of diabetes. High blood glucose levels can make your child feel sluggish and tired. Additionally, the body's inability to use glucose for energy can cause fatigue.

Weight loss

If your child is losing weight despite eating more than usual, it could be a sign of diabetes. The body's inability to use glucose for energy causes it to break down fat and muscle tissue, resulting in weight loss.

Blurred vision

If your child's vision is blurry, it could be a sign of diabetes. High blood glucose levels can cause the lens in the eye to swell, leading to blurred vision.

Yeast infections

If your child has frequent yeast infections, it could be a sign of diabetes. High blood glucose levels provide an ideal environment for yeast to grow, leading to frequent infections.

Slow healing

If your child's cuts and bruises take longer than usual to heal, it could be a sign of diabetes. High blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels, leading to poor circulation and slower healing.

In addition to these symptoms, it is important to watch out for signs of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar in children with diabetes. This can be caused by missing meals, exercising more than usual, or taking too much insulin. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include shakiness, dizziness, sweating, headache, and confusion. In severe cases, it can lead to seizures or loss of consciousness. It is important to monitor your child's blood sugar regularly and have snacks or glucose tablets on hand in case of an emergency.

Another important symptom to watch out for in children with diabetes is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This occurs when there is not enough insulin in the body and the blood becomes too acidic. Symptoms include fruity-smelling breath, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, rapid breathing, and confusion. DKA is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

It is important for parents to communicate with their child's healthcare team and keep track of any symptoms or changes in their child's behavior. Regular check-ups with the pediatrician or endocrinologist can also help catch any issues early on and prevent complications.

Conclusion

Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires careful management, especially in children. It is important to watch out for symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurry vision, and slow healing wounds. Parents should also be aware of symptoms of hypoglycemia and DKA, and communicate with their child's healthcare team regularly. With proper care and management, children with diabetes can live healthy and active lives.