Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, according to Diabetes.com. And while less than one percent of children and teenagers have diabetes, those numbers are on the rise. Know these symptoms to spot them in your child before it's too late.
Symptoms
1. Abnormal thirst
Diabetes makes sugar build up in your bloodstream, which in turn pulls fluid from the tissues, according to Mayo Clinic. Noticing an extremely thirsty child is one of the easiest symptoms to spot.
2. Frequent peeing
Since your child is drinking so much, naturally bathroom trips will become more frequent.
3. Blurry vision
It's possible your child needs glasses, but it could also indicate diabetes. Sugar pulls the lenses' fluid away from the eye, which makes focusing difficult.
4. Moodiness
If your child is suddenly grumpier, it could mean they have undiagnosed type 1 diabetes. (Obviously, many other things besides diabetes can make your child suddenly moody, so consult a doctor before you assume it's diabetes.)
5. Losing weight
Sudden weight loss can occur because your body doesn't have the energy sugar supplies. Without it, your fat stores and muscles shrink.
6. Intense hunger
Your child's diabetic body is crying for energy, because without enough insulin, the sugar is not moving through to the cells. Because of this, your child will be hungry - even after eating.
7. Itchy skin
Diabetes can make your skin itchy through poor circulation, or because of yeast infections, according to the American Diabetes Association.
8. Exhaustion
Unusual tiredness can occur in children with undiagnosed diabetes; the lack of sugar in their cells can make them have no energy.
(Credit: Familyshare)
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