Did you know that children can get diabetes? This might surprise you. This is because many people think that diabetes only affects adults. However, children are also prone to diabetes. Most commonly, children develop type 1 diabetes. This type of diabetes appears when the pancreas no longer produces insulin. This is not to be confused with adult-onset diabetes, which is much more common and commonly known as type 2 diabetes. Children can get type 2 diabetes as well. Type 2 diabetes is more often associated with insulin resistance, as opposed to the non-production of insulin seen in type 1 diabetes.

Depending on the cause of the condition, diet may play an important role in the prevention of the disease. Diet almost always plays a vital role in diabetes management. A healthy lifestyle also plays a key role. Daily physical activity and a healthy diet are two key components in diabetes control for individuals of any age. As a parent of a diabetic child, it is important that you ensure your child eats and exercises as the doctor recommends. You should ensure that s/he is active and s/he also eats a healthy diet in order to properly manage this disease over their entire lifetime.

How can you tell if your child is diabetic?

There are many symptoms that you should look for. You will note that diabetic patients normally show different signs and symptoms of this disease. Sometimes the symptoms are very mild, and occasionally there are no symptoms at all. We can’t list all the symptoms, but here are a few you should keep an eye out for:

1. Frequent Urination

Look for this sign. If a person is urinating very frequently it should be easily noticeable. If you notice your child has been urinating frequently, you should take him or her to be tested for diabetes.

2. Unsated Thirst

It is advisable to drink plenty of water so that the body can remain hydrated at all times. However, if you notice a large increase in thirst or water usage, it can be a result of diabetes. Getting thirsty is normal. However, too much thirst can be an indicator of the disease. Always get tested if there is any doubt.

3. Tiredness and Fatigue

It is common to feel tired. However, being tired all the time can be a symptom of diabetes. If your child normally complains about being tired all the time, he or she might be diabetic. It is important to get tested for diabetes in this circumstance.

4. Reduced Body Weight

Intentional weight loss can be a good thing. However, if you are diabetic, you might lose weight due to your disease. This is because the body may have to break down the stored fat and muscle in order to generate energy. This energy is normally generated when blood sugar is converted to energy by insulin in your body. Sudden and unexpected weight loss may be due to diabetes. Get tested for diabetes if you observe this.

How can you deal with this problem?

You should ensure that you take your child to a medical professional often so that he or she can get tested for diabetes. After diagnosis, remember to keep track of things like food intake and blood glucose logs. This information may be helpful to your doctor and also it can provide great educational material to the patient, who should start to investigate how certain foods affect their blood sugar.

*The author of this blog is not a medical professional and this article does not contain professional medical advice. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of the contents of this article. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.