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Onset of Diabetes in Children

Suspecting that your child might have Type 1 Diabetes, formerly referred to a Juvenile Diabetes, can be terrifying. However, being aware of the symptoms allows parents to catch Type 1 Diabetes before it becomes life threatening. Once the rapid onset of symptoms is present, it is imperative to take the child to the emergency room or pediatrician IMMEDIATELY before diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA) occurs. DKA is a life threatening condition that occurs when there is not enough glucose (sugar) to use as fuel. That is why it is essential for every parent to recognize the signs and symptoms of a disease affecting one in 400 children in the United States

  1. Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination

    • Extreme thirst occurs because of the loss of fluid from a child's tissues. This occurs when excess glucose builds up in a child's bloodstream and fluid from his tissues is depleted. This leaves the child extremely thirsty. As a result, he has what seems to be an uncontrollable thirst and will drink almost nonstop---and, in turn, urinate---much more than usual.

    Extreme hunger

    • A child's muscles and organs need glucose in order to function. Insulin is the primary tool used to deliver glucose. Without glucose, organs and muscles trigger extreme hunger and the inability to feel full. Without insulin to deliver the glucose, food never reaches the energy-starved tissues.

    Weight loss

    • Even though a child may be eating almost nonstop, he or she can be rapidly losing weight. Without the energy glucose supplies to muscles and tissues, a child's fat stores start to disappear. This leads to a dramatic and noticeable loss of weight.

    Fatigue and Irritability

    • One of the side effects of always being thirsty and hungry is fatigue and irritability. Since an undiagnosed child's body is struggling to find the energy necessary to maintain muscles and tissue integrity, she will often have dark circles under her eyes and constantly struggle to stay awake.

    Blurred Vision

    • When blood sugar is extremely high (often over 250mg/dl), children often complain of blurred vision. This occurs when fluid is pulled from a child's eyes, a part of the tissue composition of the body. Without this necessary fluid, vision often become blurred.

    Other Symptoms

    • Other symptoms of undiagnosed Type 1 Diabetes include:
      • Rapid breathing
      • Dry, itchy skin
      • Headache
      • Tingling or burning pain in the feet, legs, hands, or other parts of the body
      • High blood pressure
      • Nausea and vomiting

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