As you probably already realize, diabetes is a universal disease that can impact pretty much anyone and everyone. Even if you go to great lengths to keep yourself in tiptop shape, there is a possibility that your offspring could be impacted by this illness. However, you should realize that diabetes in children is not a death sentence. It is possible to live a very fulfilling life, despite suffering from diabetes. As long as you take steps to keep your blood sugar levels in check, youโll be able to live a great life and do pretty much everything you ever wanted.
Within this comprehensive guide, you will learn a great deal about the remedies and rectifications for diabetes in children.
What Causes Diabetes In Children?
When it comes down to it, diabetes is still somewhat unknown. It has been researched extensively, but it is still not completely known. Today, researchers are not entirely sure what causes diabetes in children. However, it is believed that the disease develops in a similar fashion for adults and children. It is thought that the body is unable to provide a sufficient amount of insulin or the body does not utilize the insulin correctly. In return, both problems will lead directly to an excess quantity of sugar in the blood.
It is also thought that a poor diet and a lack of exercise could cause a child to develop diabetes. Just remember that some people suffer from insulin resistance, while others are unable to produce a sufficient amount of insulin. If the body is unable to produce an appropriate amount of insulin, the patient will begin to suffer from diabetes. Over a longer period of time, the performance of the pancreas may decrease and this will further reduce the amount of insulin made by the body.
Suffice to say, it is absolutely pertinent to take steps to stabilize the blood sugar levels immediately.
Potential Symptoms For Children
Believe it or not, type 2 diabetes is something that many people experience, without even realizing it. For children, it is very common that the patient will experience no symptoms until theyโve been diagnosed. This often occurs, because the amount of blood sugar in the body has been climbing so slowly. Therefore, younger children may live with diabetes for a few months, without even realizing it. Some of the most common symptoms associated with diabetes for children can be found below.
- An increase in thirst
- More frequent urination
- Child may begin wetting the bed during the night
These symptoms may also be associated with other problems. Therefore, it is absolutely pertinent to make sure that your son or daughter visits the doctor. This is the only definite way to ensure that youโre actually dealing with diabetes. Other possible symptoms linked to diabetes will be listed below for your convenience.
- Lethargy
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Vision problems or blurriness
- More frequent infections
- Slower healing sores or wounds
- Noticeable and unexpected weight loss
Again, it is possible for these symptoms to point towards another illness. If you begin to notice any of these symptoms, it is pertinent to take your child to the doctor. The doctor will be able to run tests to determine whether or not the problem is diabetes.
What Increases A Childโs Risk For Diabetes?
While the underlying cause of diabetes is not known, doctors have a pretty good idea what could increase the risks. By taking steps to avoid these risk factors, it may be possible to help your son or daughter avoid developing diabetes in the future. Below, you will find a list of potential risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes in children.
- Obesity
- Failing to get a sufficient amount of exercise
- Having a family member that also suffers from type 2 diabetes
- Certain races are more likely to develop this disease
- Girls are more susceptible
There are also several medical conditions that can increase your risks. Theyโll be listed below for your consideration.
- Abnormally high blood pressure
- High triglycerides or high cholesterol
- A fatty liver
- Suffering from sleep apnea
Teens that suffer from diabetes should not smoke! Smoking can greatly increase the risks associated with type 2 diabetes!
Type I Diabetes In Children
Type I diabetes can be overwhelming for both parents and children. There are many steps that must be taken to control the childโs blood glucose levels. This will also require the assistance of school officials, grandparents, and friends. There is no doubt that children with diabetes require special attention, especially in the early phases. As the child grows, the parent will be able to relax a bit, as the child will be able to take on more responsibility.
Type I diabetes is treated with insulin, which is injected into the fatty or adipose tissue in the lower abdomen and upper back of the arm. Of course, insulin can be administered in any area that consists of fatty tissue. Once parents learn to administer the insulin, they will be required to learn how to perform routine blood glucose monitoring. Annual eye exams and regular visits to the endocrinologist will also be a necessity.
The key to your child living a happy, normal life is good blood sugar control, which will consist of a healthy diet, exercise, routine blood glucose monitoring and insulin. Once your child becomes old enough to understand, you will need to start teaching them about type I diabetes.
Type II Diabetes
Type II diabetes can occur at any age. Children who are diagnosed with this disorder are unable to produce insulin, which leads to hyperglycemia or high levels of glucose in the bloodstream. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC), over 208,000 people under the age of 20 are living with diabetes, including type 1 and type 2. Nearly one out of every three children living in the United States is overweight. These children are a higher risk of developing diabetes at some point in their life than children who are within the normal weight range.
Glucose Meters
Glucose meters are available in portable and non-portable models. Most every diabetic has a portable model, which they take to work, school, shopping, and vacations. The meter is capable of measuring blood sugar levels with just a small amount of blood. The individual must poke their finger with a lancet and drop a small amount of the blood on a glucose strip that is placed into the meter. The monitor provides expedient results to add convenience to the entire process. Everyone who has diabetes must have a glucose monitor or meter.
Exploring The Risks Of Taking Insulin
If you are faced with the option of taking insulin or not taking insulin, you truly have a lot of your plate. With that being said, some individuals arenโt so fortunate and are forced to take insulin injections on a daily basis. Whatever the situation is, you will be glad to learn that insulin has been so fined tuned that there are fewer complications than ever before. However, this doesnโt mean that there are absolutely no complications. This is why it is imperative that you are completely aware of the effects that insulin injections can have on the body, and that is exactly what you are going to learn below.
Possible Low Blood Sugar
One of the most common side effects associated with insulin has to be low blood sugar. This is also sometimes referred to as insulin reaction. This situation basically occurs when your blood sugar drops below a certain level. This can happen when your insulin injection is delivered too quickly or if the dosage is too high. In fact, there have even been some reported cases in which the blood sugar got so low that some individuals experienced impaired brain function. In some of the most severe situations diabetics has seized and gone into comas.
This is why it is imperative to work with an experienced diabetic physician so that he or she can fine tune your dosage. It also helps if you know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar, which are weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, getting dizzy, experiencing anxiety, and shakiness. Of course, there are situations when you might not know if you are experiencing low blood sugar, and this is when a blood sugar testing tool can come in handy. Simply test your blood sugar and see what the results are. In fact, anyone that takes insulin should always have access to one of the devices at all times.
Weight Gaining Complications
Unfortunately, insulin is considered a growth hormone, so it promotes the storage of nutrients, which can lead to weight gain. In fact, several studies conducted over the past several years have shown that individuals that started taking insulin gained an average of 3.5 pounds. This can be a problem is you are already considered overweight, so you might need to work with your doctor to develop a great workout routine that works for you.
Experiencing Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions are extremely rare in todayโs time with all the latest tweaks and advances in insulin studies. However, there are situations when they can still occur. It is possible that you might experience some mild allergic reactions while taking insulin. Some of the reactions might show up in the form of itching, swelling, vomiting, and redness at the site of the injection mark. To avoid these situations, make sure that all of your equipment is properly sterilized, or make sure that you are using disposable needles.
Possible Drug Interactions
Anytime you mix two different medications there is always a chance for some kind of reaction. It is possible that you might already be taking medication that could have severe side effects when mixed with insulin. This is why it is imperative to speak with your physician and let him or her know the types and dosages of medications that you are currently taking
Medicines For Children With Diabetes
You should realize that diabetes is not necessarily a death sentence. It is possible to live a completely normal life, despite being diagnosed with diabetes. There are numerous medications that will be able to help. Below, you will find explanations for some of the best medications for combating diabetes.
Canagliflozin
Canagliflozin is primarily recommended for children suffering from type 2 diabetes. The oral medication can be helpful for lowering the patientโs blood sugar levels. It is recommended that you take this medication before your very first meal of the day. Make sure that you take the drug as instructed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, there is a possibility that the medicationโs performance will be negatively impacted. Some patients will experience a UTI or allergic reaction when consuming this medication. Nevertheless, it is safe for the mass majority of children.
Metformin
Metformin is another popular medication that is used to help young patients deal with their type 2 diabetes. The oral medication is primarily designed to help keep the blood sugar at safe levels. It is very common for this drug to be utilized in conjunction with insulin and other diabetes medications. Just remember that metformin is not recommended for patients suffering from type 1 diabetes. People suffering from kidney disease or diabetic ketoacidosis should not use this medication!
Be sure to tell your doctor about your other medications and medical conditions, so you can make sure that metformin will be a suitable medication for you! While taking metformin, it is best to avoid drinking alcohol!
Humalog
If your child is suffering from type 2 diabetes, you may want to speak with your doctor about Humalog U-100. According to CanadianInsulin, this just happens to be one the most commonly prescribed diabetes medications for adults and children. Humalog is different from long-acting insulins. It is considered fast-acting. Therefore, it is capable of helping you deal with blood sugar spikes that generally happen after youโve eaten. Humalog is available in a KwikPen and that makes it a good option for younger children.
Also, the pen doesnโt need to refrigerated. Therefore, it can travel with your child everywhere they go.
Humulin
Humulin is another very popular medication for young adults that are suffering from diabetes. In fact, Humulin R U-500 is commonly used by adults and children suffering from diabetes mellitus. The medication is generally recommended for patients that need more than two-hundred units of insulin each day. This product will contain roughly five times the insulin that is found in standard alternatives. When using U-500, your child will be able to inject far less liquid. Still, they will be able to get the medicine needed to return their blood sugar levels to a safe range.
Lantus
Lantus is available in a pen, as well as a vial. This makes it a good option for pretty much anyone. The SoloStar pen is a great option for children, but the syringe method is also very convenient. Remember that you should always tell your child that they should never share their needles or pens with anyone. Also, be sure to remove the bubbles from the syringe, before attempting to inject it. The medication can be injected in numerous locations, including the upper arm, abdomen and thigh.
It is absolutely vital to make sure that all unused vials of Lantus are stored in the refrigerator. They would be kept between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. Opened vials can be stored in the fridge or at room temperature below 86 degrees.
