Signs and Symptoms of Children's Diabetes and Myopia

Diabetes was once a condition primarily experienced by adults, especially Type 2, non-insulin dependent diabetes. Sadly, that is no longer the case. Due to factors such as the increasing incidence of childhood obesity, diabetes in children is commonplace. Type 2 diabetes affects how the body manages sugar, and can be controlled with a combination of diet, exercise and medication if detected and treated. There are signs and symptoms of diabetes in children which relate to myopia.

Diabetes Signs and Symptoms

• The signs of diabetes are the same for both children and adults. They may not be as obvious or debilitating and can mimic growth-related complaints, but can be observed as patterns over a period of time. Signs include: undue hunger or thirst, recurrent urination, fatigue, irritability and unexpected weight loss. While a simple test can help detect diabetes, about half of all sufferers are not even aware they have it. If left untreated, Type 2 diabetes can cause numbness in the hands and feet, dry and itchy skin and slow wound healing. Recurring infections, fatigue and dark patches in the folds of the skin, called acanthosis nigricans, are also symptoms of Type 2 diabetes.

Risk Factors

• Sometimes the signs of Type 2 diabetes can go undetected or are brushed aside. Certain risk factors, in combination with one or more of the signs, can point to diabetes and warrant a trip to the doctor for further examination. These factors include: being overweight and/or inactive, a family history of diabetes, high blood sugar levels and having a mother who had gestational diabetes. Race has been shown to play a factor as well although the connections are not yet understood. According to the Mayo Clinic, African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians and Asian-Americans are at higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.

Myopia

• Myopia, or near-sightedness, is a condition marked by the inability to see clearly from a distance. It is usually noticed in the pre-teen and teen years. While blurred vision is a common symptom of diabetes, myopia can be one of the first signs of Type 2 diabetes. If a child is experiencing myopia, especially combined with one or more diabetes signs or risk factors, you should speak with your child's doctor as well as his optician and order a blood test. The fortunate thing about myopia caused by diabetes is that it will clear up if the condition is treated.