Type 1 diabetes mellitus is the type of diabetes that is most prevalent in children. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly regulate levels of glucose, or sugar, in the blood stream. According to MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, but a viral or environmental trigger likely causes an immune reaction that triggers type 1 diabetes. A parent should be aware of symptoms of diabetes in kids and seek immediate medical treatment if they are noticed.
Fatigue
MedlinePlus states that a common symptom of diabetes in kids is excessive fatigue. This occurs because insulin does not allow the effective uptake of glucose into cells that need it for energy. Thus, a kid will often feel tired or fatigued throughout the day. A parent should look for signs of fatigue that includes difficulty waking, sleeping in school, worsening test scores, tiredness after school and a reduction in physical activity. If these signs of diabetes are noticed, a parent should schedule an appointment with a pediatric physician to have the cause of fatigue properly diagnosed and treated. If diabetes is the cause, the kid will have more energy after taking prescribed insulin.
Excessive Hunger
A kid with type 1 diabetes will experience excessive hunger, states MayoClinic.com. This occurs because there is not enough insulin to move sugar into the muscles and organs. A lack of sugar in the cells causes a signal of hunger to be sent to the brain. This will cause a kid to have extreme hunger during the day, and even after eating a meal. In this case, a parent should let the pediatrician know, so that the proper cause of hunger can be diagnosed and treated. Insulin will improve the movement of sugar into cells, and prevent the child from experiencing excessive hunger.
Weight Loss
A parent may notice weight loss in her child, states MayoClinic.com. Specifically, she will notice weight loss without a change in diet or exercise habits. This occurs because fat cells are not able to use available glucose in the blood stream, which can result in weight loss. In this case, a parent should avoid the temptation to force her kid to eat more than recommended for the kid's age range and activity level. Instead, she should bring her kid to the pediatrician to have him appropriately evaluated for type 1 diabetes.
