Type 1 Diabetes Warning Signs In Children

Health & Medical Blog

Type I diabetes is a serious medical condition that comes without the relief of a cure. Yet, a child diagnosed with this medical condition can lead a long and productive life. However, early diagnosis is critical. It's essential that the parents of toddlers and young children be able to recognize some of the signs that might indicate the presence of Type I diabetes. Here are some alarming signs not to overlook. 

Unexplained Fatigue

Infants and toddlers veer on both sides of the spectrum in that they have tons of energy, yet they require a great deal of rest for development. Yet, as your child ages, you will be able to spot a pattern for their rest schedule.

If you notice that your child seems to feel tired all the time and doesn't have nearly as much energy as other children their age, diabetes could be to blame. Blood sugar levels help fuel the body with energy. For a child with diabetes, their body may have trouble transforming the sugar into energy, which could lead to increased fatigue. 

Excessive Hunger

Don't ignore signs that highlight an uptick in your child's hunger levels. It's not uncommon for Type 1 diabetes to make a child feel excessively hungry, often. As previously stated, blood sugar levels help provide the body with a source of energy. Energy levels and hunger levels are linked. When your child's body doesn't have the necessary energy, it can trigger a sense of hunger. 

As a result, you could feel that your child is eating regularly, but at the same time, often complaining of hunger. Even more telling is that although your child seems to be eating more, they also seem to be losing weight. If your child has a dramatic change in their eating habits and weight loss, the scenario is a definite cause for concern. 

Vision Concerns

Pay attention to any signs that your child's vision doesn't seem as sharp as it once was, especially if their vision troubles are not constant. When the body's blood sugar levels elevate, it can cause inflammation throughout the body, including around the lens of the eye. As the lens swells, it creates a distortion that causes a blur. 

As the blood sugar levels lower, the inflammation goes down, and their vision returns to normal. If your child seems to occasionally complain that of blurred vision, you should have the matter addressed as soon as possible. Even if the cause for concern is not diabetes, it's a matter that is not normal nonetheless. 

Your child's pediatrician should be your first source of information if you suspect your child may have Type 1 diabetes. A pediatrician will perform a series of tests to determine if your child has the condition so that they can get the treatment they need as soon as possible. For more information, contact a medical office like Better Family Care today.

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