Signs of Diabetes in Children – It Depends on the Type of Diabetes Your Children Have

There is always that need to know the signs of diabetes in children. It is mainly because of the fact that children, like adults, are not safe with diabetes. As early as childhood, one can already develop diabetes.

However, diabetes in children may differ with that of the adults. Signs and symptoms of diabetes in infants and children are more rapidly shown compared to adults. These signs and symptoms may vary according to type.

Signs of Diabetes in Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes in children states that the rate of beta cell destruction in infants and children with type 1 diabetes is at a more rapid pace. This means that the signs and symptoms are developed easily over a period of weeks. Some of the possible signs and symptoms are:

Diabetes in Children

1. Infections – Usually, the first sign of Type 1 diabetes in infants is diaper rash. This is caused by yeast infection that occurs in babies and young children.
2. Frequent thirst and urination – Children with Type 1 diabetes drink more often than usual, thus urinate more. There is excess in sugar-build up in the bloodstream that causes loss of fluid from the tissues. The loss of fluid makes the child feel thirsty.
3. Extreme hunger – Eating is not enough to reduce starvation. Hunger is triggered by the shrinkage of energy supply. The glucose coming from the food remains in the bloodstream instead of going to the cells.
4. Unusual weight loss – Because of the shrinkage of energy supply, some children rapidly lose weight. There is not enough energy that supplies the need of the body so the body extracts from its own reserves like stored fats and muscles.
5. Fatigue – The lack of energy supply in the body makes the child get tired easily.
6. Blurred vision – The child’s clear vision is affected by the reduction of fluid and blood flow to the eyes. There are times that the child sees blurredly but it’s not constant.

Signs of Diabetes in Children with Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is completely different from that of the first type. If Type 1 diabetes develops rapidly, Type 2 diabetes develops the other way around. Sometimes, there are no signs and symptoms that are visible in children. However, there are some common signs and symptoms for this type. These are:

• Being overweight or obese – Unlike those with Type 1 diabetes, children with this type weighs heavier than what is usual at their age.
• Hereditary – Having relatives with this type of diabetes can be a sign that a family member can possibly have diabetes of the same type. Most of the diagnosed children with this condition have at least one parent who has the same type of diabetes.
• Extreme and frequent hunger – There is not enough glucose that is able to go directly to the cells because glucose from the food stays in the bloodstream. This results to the shrinkage of energy supply that triggers hunger.
• Acanthosis, nigricans, or dark patches of skin – These are often seen between the toes and on the back of the neck in children. There is unusual skin activity because of the excess insulin in the blood. This causes the changes on the appearance of the skin.
• Other indications of Type 2 diabetes is the presence of sugar in the urine. Furthermore, girls with this condition are often diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Parents who see these signs of diabetes in children must directly undergo diabetes screening. Tests can be done on children who are ten years old and older. You need the assistance of your doctor in this case.

From the screening of signs of diabetes in children, you may proceed to the next step. This is to seek treatment for diabetes in children. You may refer to this link Best Diabetic Supplements for help on this matter. As an alternative, doctors can provide you with a list of products for diabetes support as well.