What Are Signs And Symptoms Of Childhood Diabetes?

Diabetes is a potentially life-threatening disease that is often misunderstood. Many people may imagine diabetes as the result of a person eating too much sugar, but it tends to be more complex than that. Diabetes can develop in healthy adults or children, and it can be challenging to manage. 

Below, we’ll look at childhood diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, including symptoms of type 1 and type 1 diabetes and treatments for these conditions. 

What is type 1 diabetes?

Diabetes can occur when a person’s pancreas does not make enough insulin. Insulin helps control the amount of sugar in the blood by allowing glucose to enter the cells. If you aren't making enough insulin, you'll likely have high blood sugar, and this can cause harm in several ways. Type 1 diabetes can happen at any age, but it mostly occurs in children, adolescents, and young adults. It’s an organ-specific autoimmune disease created by an autoimmune response against some of the body’s cells – specifically, pancreatic β cells.

Researchers believe that the cause of type 1 diabetes is an immune reaction that makes a person’s body attack cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Genetics may play a part in developing type 1 diabetes, but inheriting specific genes that can lead to diabetes doesn’t mean that someone will necessarily develop the condition. Certain environmental factors, such as a virus, may also trigger type 1 diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, an unhealthy lifestyle does not cause type 1 diabetes in children or adults.

Type 1 vs. type 2 diabetes

Type 2 is the more common form of diabetes, and it accounts for approximately 90% to 95% of cases. Type 2 is what people usually think about when they imagine diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, a person’s pancreas may not make enough insulin, or their cells may be resistant to insulin (insulin resistance), which means that sugar cannot enter the person’s cells. 

Diabetes symptoms

Below are some of symptoms to look out for if you suspect your child may have type 1 diabetes:

• Increased thirst. If your child is unusually thirsty or always talks about being thirsty despite being hydrated, it could be a sign of diabetes. Excess sugar can remove fluid from their tissues, leading to increased thirst.

• Frequent urination: This is typically caused by a child drinking a lot of water as a result of always being thirsty.

• Fatigue: Your child may always feel tired despite getting adequate sleep. This is likely due to their high blood sugar levels preventing your child’s body from using sugar for energy. It could be related to dehydration as well.

• Hunger: Your child may always feel hungry despite eating. This is likely because the sugar isn't going into the cells, which can cause a lack of energy.

• Tingly feet: If your child always has tingly feet or has feet that always fall asleep, it can be a sign of diabetes.

• Blurry vision: It can be common to develop eyesight problems in childhood, but if your child’s eyesight becomes unexpectedly blurry, it may be because the fluid is being removed from their eyes due to high blood sugar levels.

• Change in the smell of breath: Those who have diabetes may have breath that smells fruity, despite them not eating any fruit. When a child is burning fat and not sugar, this can cause that smell.

• Changes in temperament or behavior: A child with type 1 diabetes may become more irritable and perform worse in school. This may be a result of frustration they feel from all the symptoms they are having.

• Yeast infections: Girls who live with diabetes may develop yeast infections. This is because sugar build-up can lead to excessive yeast growth, resulting in yeast infections. 

• Increased risk of infection: Children with diabetes might also experience build-up of harmful bacteria resulting in bacteria infections and gut imbalances. 

One of the things that can make diabetes difficult for many people to detect is that many of these symptoms are common or are a sign of something else. For example, some people feel the need to urinate more often than others, and this can have a variety of causes. Other children simply feel hungry more often than other children. Also, it can be common for some people to have tingling in their feet. However, if your child is experiencing multiple symptoms listed above, then it may be time for them to see a medical provider.

Long-term effects of diabetes

If diabetes is left unchecked, it can lead to some long-term complications, including:

• Heart disease and stroke: Your child may develop high blood pressure and have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke.

• Nerve damage: If there is too much sugar in a person’s system, the nerves in their body can be damaged. This can be especially noticeable in the legs and may lead to tingling or pain in the feet. In extreme conditions, it can lead to feet needing to be amputated.

• Kidney damage: The blood vessels in a person’s kidneys may also be damaged, which is why diabetes is sometimes considered a blood vessel disease. The kidneys filter the blood, and they are vital for removing waste. If unchecked, the kidneys can become so damaged that dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed.

• Those who have undiagnosed diabetes may develop eye damage. This can lead to blindness in extreme cases and can cause cataracts and glaucoma.

• Diabetes can make bones fragile, which can lead to osteoporosis.

• Diabetes can cause many skin infections as well.

If a person with diabetes manages it well, they may avoid these long-term complications.

Testing for diabetes

If you suspect your child has diabetes, you can visit a pediatrician. They will likely order a blood test, such as a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test, which shows a person’s average blood sugar level for the last few months. If your child's blood sugar is high or if their doctor finds ketones in their urine, which are byproducts of fat breakdown, they may have diabetes. 

Treating diabetes

There is currently no cure for diabetes or a pill to fix an insulin problem. Instead, someone with type 1 diabetes usually has to receive insulin to keep their levels up.

The following are some ways for a person with diabetes to receive insulin:

• A syringe: Many children, as well as adults, have to give themselves insulin injections.

• Insulin pen: This is similar to a syringe, but it's refillable, and the needle tends to be smaller and less invasive.

• Insulin pump: If a child needs to have multiple injections, a pump can deliver them automatically. It's about the size of a phone and connects to the body via a catheter.

• Insulin inhaler: An inhaler delivers insulin fast, but injections may also be necessary.

So far, there is no insulin pill available to take. Insulin breaks down through the stomach, making it difficult to create a pill that can deliver the insulin. 

Children who live with diabetes typically need to check their blood sugar at least four times per day—before meals and before bed. Checking blood sugar usually involves finger sticks, and this may sound scary to many children. However, there has been technology that makes the sticks almost unnoticeable.

Finally, those with diabetes must be mindful of what they eat and watch their sugars and carbohydrates so that they don't have blood sugar that is too high or low. Depending on their lifestyle, the amount of insulin needed may change. Some may need more or less insulin depending on what they eat. 

It’s possible to manage diabetes, but the process usually involves regular check-ups with a doctor. This can be stressful for a child as well as for parents. 

Dietary support for type-1 diabetes 

Healthy eating can help adults and children with type-1 diabetes maintain stable blood sugar levels and overall well-being. However, what’s healthy for one person might not be healthy for another, so always consult a phsyician for dietary guidance. 

Typically, healthy food choices for type-1 diabetes involve: 

• Carbohydrate counting to ensure the individual eats the correct amount of carbohydrates, sometimes at the same time each day. Parents may need the help of a dietician to count carbohydrates accurately for their child. 

• Incorporating lean proteins, healthy fats, and high-fiber foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

• Portion size control and meal spacing to help control blood sugar levels. This helps avoid spikes or crashes. 

Dietary support for type-2 diabetes 

For adults and children with type 2 diabetes, health lifestyle choices can help manage blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications. Always consult a phsyician for dietary guidance when managing an individual’s diabetic symptoms. 

However, a healthy diet for type 2 diabetes typically emphasizes: 

• Consuming nutrient-dense foods like whole grains, lean proteins, legumes, and fresh fruits and vegetables. 

• Portion control to help control calorie intake and healthy weight management to help improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels. 

• Limiting intake of sugary foods and beverages, processed foods, and high-fat foods. 

Seek emotional support

Managing diabetes can present unique challenges for both children and their parents. Children may be frustrated with having to manage their insulin and blood sugar and not being able to eat the way children want to eat. They may feel like there is something wrong with them. It may be helpful for them to get support by speaking with other children who live with diabetes in a support group or with a counselor who has experience helping children with their condition. Likewise, parents might find comfort in support groups with other parents and guardians who can relate to the emotional challenges of overseeing their child’s condition. 

Also, if you are experiencing stress as a parent of a child with diabetes, it may be helpful to talk to a licensed therapist who understands what you’re going through. It can be challenging to find time to commute to a therapist’s office if you’re caring for a child with diabetes or other health concerns. If this is the case, you may benefit from online therapy, which research has shown to be just as effective as in-person therapy. 

With BetterHelp, you can communicate with a licensed therapist via phone, live chat, and videoconferencing at a time that works for you. Also, you can contact your therapist at any time through in-app messaging, and they’ll respond as soon as they can. This may be helpful if you experience stress or have questions or concerns in between sessions.

Takeaway

Having a child with diabetes can lead to unique emotional challenges. It can be stressful to monitor their symptoms and manage their meals and treatment plan. If you’re experiencing stress related to your child’s diagnosis of diabetes, you don’t have to face it alone. With BetterHelp, you can be matched with a licensed therapist who has experience helping parents of children with diabetes and other illnesses. You can participate in therapy sessions from the comfort of your home at a time that works for your schedule. Take the first step toward getting support as a parent and reach out to BetterHelp today.