Your Child Might Be At A Risk Of Having Diabetes

Diabetes is no longer an age-related health issue. Growing evidence show the increasing prevalence of diabetes in young children. The incidence of childhood diabetes is reported to rise by 2% to 5% every year, around the world. Both types of diabetes have different impacts on children and they become more susceptible to various health problems as they grow older. Complications such as vision-related problems and nerve damage may occur and progress faster in children with type 2 diabetes, while those affected by type 1 may be at the risk of developing heart and blood vessel disease in the later years of life. 

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Causes Of Diabetes In Children

The causes of type 1 diabetes are unknown in both children and adults. Whereas for type 2 diabetes, the major cause is said to be excess weight. Being overweight increases the likelihood of insulin resistance in children and the risks of developing the condition. Another major factor that causes the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in children is genetics. If one or both parents have the condition, the chances of the child suffering from it are higher. 

Symptoms Of The Disease In Children

Symptoms of diabetes in children may not always be easy to spot. In most cases, the condition develops gradually, making it difficult to detect the symptoms.  

Those who doubt their kids may have diabetes, must keep an eye out for these symptoms:

Excessive Fatigue: Changes in the blood sugar levels often affects the child’s energy levels. If you notice a drop in your child’s energy levels, or if they seem extraordinarily tired or sleepy, try and get to the root of the problem.

Frequent Urination: Although frequent urination may seem normal in kids, it may be an indication of spiked blood sugar levels caused due to diabetes. Therefore, if you notice your child taking too many restroom breaks, you must look for other signs of diabetes or simply seek professional consultation to be sure.  

Excessive Thirst: Just like frequent urination, excessive thirst is also an indication of high blood sugar levels in children.

Increased Hunger: Children suffering from diabetes don’t have enough insulin that can help provide energy to their bodies. Therefore, food becomes the next best source of energy, making children feel hungry more frequently. Such extreme hunger is medically known as polyphagia or hyperphagia.

Slow-healing Sores: Wounds that heal slowly are one of the major indications of diabetes in both adults as well as children.

Darkened Skin: Insulin resistance can cause the skin near the armpits and neck to darken. Medically, the darkening of the skin is referred to as acanthosis nigricans.

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Risk Factors Associated With Diabetes In Children

A child may have an increased risk of developing diabetes if:

• Children whose sibling or any other close relatives have diabetes
• Children of Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, Latino, or African descent
• Children who are overweight or obese
• Exposure to certain viruses may trigger the autoimmune destruction of the islet cells which may lead to diabetes

Treating Childhood Diabetes

The treatments available for childhood diabetes are similar to the treatment for adults. However, the overall treatment plan varies depending not only on the type and severity of the disease, but also on the growth needs and specific concerns of the child. 

Common treatment methods include: 

• Blood glucose monitoring
• Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
• Insulin
• Other medications

Prevention Of Diabetes In Children

Parents can help minimize the risks of diabetes in their children by encouraging them to do the following: 

Maintaining A Healthy Diet: Children who eat a well-balanced diet and ensure that their intake of sugar and refined carbs is minimal are less likely to develop diabetes.

Regular Exercising: Living a sedentary lifestyle can lead to various health issues, including diabetes. Therefore, it is essential to promote regular exercise in children. 

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Maintaining A Healthy Weight: Being overweight or obese is one of the major causes of diabetes. Therefore, working on maintaining a healthy weight becomes extremely crucial. 

References Link: 

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes-in-children/symptoms-causes/syc-20355306
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes-in-children/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355312
4. https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/26/4/1022
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6177665/