Diabetes type one in toddler?

(March 24, 2010)

Diabetes is a condition where the sugar levels in the blood are either too high or too low. Type 1 diabetes refers to diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is the condition where there is excessive sugar in the blood. This happens because the insulin production in the body is affected or has completely stopped.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. The immune system attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas and destroys them. There is a strong genetic component to type 1 diabetes and it is likely to be passed on from parent to child. However, there are environmental factors that also contribute to this and it is not guaranteed that an affected parent with have an affected child.

A person suffering from type 1 diabetes will display symptoms of hunger, excessive thirst, excessive urination, weight loss and in extreme cases, untreated type 1 diabetes can lead to death. The reason for these symptoms is the excess sugar in the blood. High sugar blood absorbs water from the neighboring cells instead of distributing water. This leads to dehydration. The kidneys attempt to flush out the excess sugar by producing more urine. This also leads to dehydration. Therefore, it is necessary to drink lots of water just to maintain yourself. Type 1 diabetes can be controlled by regular use of insulin. Insulin injected into the stomach will compensate for the failure of the natural insulin producing cells and maintain the body sugar at a normal level.

Children are different and must be treated differently when diagnosing and managing a condition such as diabetes. Basic symptoms are identical including weight loss and a urine sample test can confirm diabetes. Toddlers may be unable to communicate how they feel and it is essential for a parent to note the fluid intake and frequency of urination. If your child presents with weight loss, vomiting, excessive urination and excessive thirst, this may be a case of diabetes type 1. Often, due to inability to diagnose, type 1 may lead to the child becoming severely ill before he/she is admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Once a diagnosis is done, you may begin by educating yourself on diabetes management. Regular medication and following some set food habits will help you teach your toddler to also follow these habits. In all other situations, treat your toddler normally. Be aware of the symptoms and regularly note his/her blood sugar.

Submitted by P T on March 24, 2010 at 01:11