Diabetes is a condition marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It can occur either early in life or later (typically, 40 and older). Diabetes is caused by insufficient insulin production, which is the hormone that the body uses to transport sugar out of the blood. Elevated sugar levels can cause a number of symptoms, including dizziness, fainting, coma and even death.
Types
There are two kinds of diabetes. Type I diabetes is most common in children, and type II is most common in people over age 40.
Early Symptoms
The earliest symptoms of type I diabetes in children include extreme thirst, fatigue, and extreme hunger. If you suspect type I diabetes, your doctor can measure your child's blood glucose to diagnose the symptoms.
Advanced Symptoms
In some cases, type I diabetes can lead to blurred vision or dizziness and confusion, as well as seizures and epilepsy. Other symptoms include fluid retention and swelling of the extremities, such as the feet.
Causes
Type I diabetes is caused by the body's immune system attacking the pancreas. The pancreas makes the hormone insulin, which is responsible for letting the body take sugar out of the blood and put it into muscles and the brain. As a result, sugar levels become dangerously high. Having a family history of diabetes or being overweight also puts a child at an increased risk of developing diabetes.
Treatment
The most common treatment for children with type I diabetes is monitoring of blood sugar as well as insulin replacement. In addition to periodic self-monitoring of blood sugar, many pediatricians will recommend that children with diabetes eat a diet that is rich in whole grains and protein and low in sugars. These meals will need to be carefully planned to deliver consistent amounts of carbohydrates from one meal to the next, to avoid potentially dangerous spikes and dips in blood sugar.
