Parents with children should know the symptoms of diabetes type 1 in children so that they are able to seek medical attention early enough in case their children develop the condition. Diabetes type 1, formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes, occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce the insulin hormone. The person’s own immune system attacks the pancreas, for unknown reasons, thus destroying the pancreas cells that produce insulin. Once the cells are destroyed, insulin can never be produced in the body again. Parents who can recognize the symptoms of diabetes type 1 in children are in a better position to help their kids.
Onset
Symptoms of diabetes type 1 in children can go unnoticed because they are not always obvious and can take a long time to develop. The condition can come on gradually or suddenly, but there are certain changes that parents can look out for in their kids that may indicate the presence of diabetes. One of the symptoms of diabetes type 1 is increased urination by your child. This is caused by the kidneys responding to high glucose levels in the bloodstream by flushing out the extra glucose through the urine.
Urination
As a result of frequent urination, the body becomes prone to dehydration, and therefore the urge to take in more water will also increase. Abnormal thirst in your child could also be part of the symptoms of diabetes type 1 in children that you should pay attention to.
Weight
Your child may also suddenly lose weight, or fail to gain normal weight as he or she grows. This is in spite of a healthy appetite, which a growing child will normally have. When you have a child or teenager who has an increased appetite but still loses weight, this should concern you. Your child’s body is likely breaking down muscle and stored fat in an attempt to provide fuel to the glucose-starved body cells. Weight loss is one of the strong symptoms of diabetes type 1 in children.
Others
As a result of the body being unable to use glucose for energy properly, your child may feel tired often. Other symptoms of diabetes type 1 in children include bedwetting in kids who do not wet their beds, as well as vaginal yeast infection in girls who have not hit puberty. When early symptoms go unnoticed, this may lead to stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, fruity-smelling breath, breathing problems and even loss of consciousness.
Although medical studies have not come up with a reason why the immune system attacks the pancreas, it is believed that it probably has something to do with a person’s genes. However, this is usually triggered by something else, like exposure to a virus. There is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes. The best that can be done once symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children have been observed is to seek immediate medical attention and begin the process of managing the condition so you child can live a full, healthy life.