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Signs & Symptoms of Diabetes in Childhood

Today, diabetes has become an epidemic not just among adults, but also among an alarming number of children. Early diagnosis is important in treating children who are either at risk for, or already have, this disease. While type 1 diabetes strikes children early on and is a lifelong condition, type 2 diabetes, which is preventable, is creeping up among children who are overweight and inactive. Consult your health-care provider if your child regularly exhibits any of the signs discussed below.

  1. Excessive Thirst

    • When your child seems to have an unusual, unquenchable thirst, he might be suffering from diabetes.

    Frequent Urination

    • If you child urinates excessively or frequently, this could be a sign that some disease is developing in her body. However, when this occurs along with excessive weight loss, blurred vision and a tingling sensation in her hands and feet, this could signal that she suffers from diabetes.

    Fatigue

    • Fatigue can be a warning sign of diabetes, as well as a symptom of stress or sleeplessness. Consult your physician if your child is tired throughout the day, particularly if this is accompanied by irritability, skin rashes, excessive thirst and frequent urination.

    Slow Healing of Wounds

    • This is a very common sign of diabetes. If your child frequently get cuts and bruises and it takes a very long time for the wounds to heal, seek your doctor's advice and get the necessary laboratory tests done.

    Next Steps

    • It's essential to see your health-care provider so that a proper diagnosis can be made and management of the diabetes can be started. Early detection and diagnosis of diabetes in children is crucial to the prevention of more-serious health complications.

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