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8 Symptoms Of Diabetes In Children To Watch Out For!

Juvenile diabetes or Type 1 diabetes, like other diseases, has been on the rise. It is a type of autoimmune disease. The pancreas does not produce enough insulin to convert blood sugar into energy. Diabetes in children cannot be cured and is a lifelong predicament.

The best bet is to prevent the child from suffering from this by providing healthy food options and inculcating good lifestyle habits like regular exercise and proper sleep. Encourage your children to eat a diet low in fat, sugar, processed foods and to eat nutrient-rich food like fruits and vegetables, lean meats and protein-rich foods. Drinking an ample amount of water is also beneficial in the prevention of diabetes. There are many warning signs that trigger the possibility of diabetes in children. They are listed below.

Symptoms Of Diabetes In Children

1. Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination

The child experiences several bouts of extensive thirst as the blood sugar pulls are water from the cells. This also leads to frequent urination. Some children even start bedwetting.

2. Dry Mouth and Itchy Skin

Patients start suffering from itchy skin and dry mouths. This is because of a lack of fluids in the body that manifests as these symptoms.

If a child has diabetes and it isn’t diagnosed for a long time or they also become unwell with an infection, they may be at risk of diabetic coma which may make them lose consciousness because of brain swelling.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

3. Extreme Hunger

Children suffering from diabetes experience extreme hunger, even after eating full meals. This is because the body is unable to utilize the energy released from the food consumed.

The most common signs of diabetes in toddlers and children include an increase in thirst and more frequent or increased urination. Most of the times in my practise i have seen that most children parents notice ants around the child’s urine in bathroom.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

4. Unexplained Weight Loss

Even though the child eats his meals, he/she may suffer from unexplained weight loss. This is again because the body is unable to put to use the energy released from food.

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5. Fatigue

Lethargic behavior, feelings of laziness and drowsiness are all warning signs of diabetes in children. The body is left without its requisite energy fuel as it cannot utilize the blood sugar to provide energy.

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6. Behaviour Changes

Children suffering from diabetes exhibit behavioural changes. They may become irritable, anxious and aggressive. Some of them feel the blues and might even suffer from depression.

7. Vision Problems

The eyes are one of the first organs to suffer from diabetes. Children often develop vision problems and if left untreated might even become blind.

Read More: The Relationship Between Eyes & Diabetes

8. Fruity Breath

One of the most obvious signs of diabetes in children is the development of sweet-smelling, fruity breath. This is because of the build-up of toxic acids in the bloodstream and the urine. These toxic acids, known as ketones, cause a fruity smell.

If left untreated, diabetes can shut down the system, organ by organ. It can cause cataract, glaucoma and sometimes complete vision loss. The cuts and bruises take a long time to heal in diabetics and are at risk of developing gangrene. The feet are at a risk, especially since they receive the least blood flow in the body.

If diabetes runs in your family or if you notice any of the above symptoms in your child, get a blood sugar test done immediately for comprehensive and timely action.

Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but most children are diagnosed within two age ranges – when they are between 4-7 years old and 10-14 years old.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Read More: 11 Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes in Children

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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