Seeing the Signs of Childhood Diabetes

Today's kids live with many diseases, and childhood diabetes is one of the most common. It's a serious condition that affects kids around the world, but great medical advances are allowing young diabetics to lead more normal, comfortable lives.

An estimated 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year, and about 13,000 of these new cases are children. That's an average of 36 new diagnoses of childhood diabetes every day.

Understanding Type I Childhood Diabetes

In most cases, diabetic children have Type I diabetes. Otherwise known as "juvenile" or "childhood diabetes", it's a condition that is present at birth. Still, many people born with juvenile diabetes are not diagnosed until adolescence. The disease prevents the body from producing insulin, so children and teens must understand the risks and learn proper treatment methods.

Know the Warning Signs

Diabetic attacks can come on suddenly, even to those who have not been diagnosed, so it's crucial for parents to recognize the warning signs. If not properly treated, these attacks can have long-lasting consequences, and may cause death in extreme cases.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes may include extreme thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite or weight loss, sleepiness, labored breathing, sudden changes in vision or a fruity smell to the breath. Knowing the warning signs can save a life.

Childhood diabetes can be easy mistaken as other illnesses. Get immediate care if you notice that your child shows one or more of these symptoms. Insist that your doctor test your son or daughter for diabetes.

Failure to diagnose childhood diabetes can have awful consequences. However, if the condition doesn't run in your family, you may not automatically identify the need to know all the symptoms. There are three main symptoms of childhood diabetes to keep in mind at all times: thirst, frequent urination, and blood glucose levels.

If your child seems unusually thirsty, makes frequent trips to the bathroom, or shows both of these signs, then his or her blood sugar may be high. A child that appears to be overly sleepy or lethargic, feels "clammy" or just doesn't seem right may benefit from a visit to the doctor for a simple blood or urine test.

Your pediatrician or family doctor can evaluate your child for other conditions as well, but it's essential to rule out the possibility of childhood diabetes. When the condition goes undiagnosed and an attack occurs, you and your child will be forced into dealing with an emergency situation.

Health Risks of Childhood Diabetes

The diagnosis of childhood diabetes brings to light a long list of potential health problems that may affect your child. Where blood sugar levels are low, your child may suffer from vision problems, kidney and liver problems and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Elevated blood sugar levels, on the other hand, can increase the possibility of infection. Yeast infections, tooth abscess, wounds that won't heal, gangrene from infected wounds and a host of other ailments are possible. Nerve damage to the feet and other extremities can occur. These conditions can potentially cause pain and irreversible damage.

Kids shouldn't have to deal with grown-up health problems. Your doctor can perform an easy test for childhood diabetes which, if diagnosed early, is manageable. If your child has juvenile diabetes, make sure that he or she understands the condition and appreciates the importance of proper treatment. It's the best way to ensure the healthy and carefree life that your child deserves.

Article Source: Main Articles

Author Sterling Ostin is an essayist for a variety of web magazines, on health discovery and healthy body subjects.

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