Childhood Diabetes Symptoms

Childhood diabetes, also referred to as juvenile diabetes, is a medical condition in children, predominantly characterized by the inability of the pancreas to produce required amount of insulin. The scarcity of insulin in the body leads to adverse effects on the child's body, which eventually start showing in the form of childhood diabetes symptoms. In most of the cases, childhood diabetes is type 1 diabetes. Although almost 90% of individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes are children below the age of sixteen years, the incidence of type 2 diabetes in children is also on rise.

Childhood Diabetes Causes
The actual cause of diabetes in children has not yet been determined. It is assumed that inherited genetic characteristics and environmental factors play a vital role in inducing this ailment. In case of type 1 diabetes in children, it becomes even more difficult to determine the cause, especially owing to the fact that these diabetics often don't have any family history of the disease. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes in children is attributed to a bad diet and sedentary lifestyle in early childhood.

Childhood Diabetes Symptoms
The symptoms of childhood diabetes range from simple thirst to conditions like nocturnal enuresis. These symptoms are in fact warning signs of diabetes, which in turn make the diagnosis part much easier. Symptoms of diabetes in children include:

• Frequent urge to urinate, especially frequent urination at night, as excess glucose in the blood is flushed out.
• Increased thirst and hunger, as cells don't process food properly. Sudden and unexplained weight loss is also seen.
• Severe fatigue and weakness, accompanied by flu-like symptoms.
• Recurring infections and prolonged healing time owing to an impaired immune system.
• Blurring of vision due to increase in glucose levels.
• Feeling lazy and exhausted due to lack of energy.
• Problems in breathing.
• Stomach ache and headache.
• Numbness in hands and feet.
• Irritation and other such behavioral problems.

Being aware of these diabetes symptoms can give you a brief idea of whether your child is suffering from diabetes. Even though these symptoms may vary from person to person, they are quite helpful in early diagnosis and prompt treatment for diabetes in children.

Treatment for Childhood Diabetes Symptoms
Once the ailment has been diagnosed, the doctor will recommend the method of treatment after taking various factors, including age and medical history, into consideration. In case of type 1 diabetes, the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas is either insufficient or zero, and hence diabetes treatment will involve administering insulin to the child. In case of type 2 diabetes, the treatment will depend on the seriousness of the issue. In most of the minor cases, changing the lifestyle and dietary habits is considered to be effective in management of diabetes in children. More importantly, one would also require to keep a tab on glucose intake as a part of diabetes management.

These were some of the prominent childhood diabetes symptoms which are quite helpful in early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in children. It's very important to treat juvenile diabetes at the earliest, as delay in treatment can irreversibly damage the blood vessels and nerves, and eventually lead to a number of further complications, including diabetic retinopathy, kidney failure, heart attack and stroke. Prevention is indeed better than cure, and a healthy lifestyle, combined with proper diet, can help in preventing diabetes in children to a great extent.