Although diabetes is generally known as a disease of adults, it can also be seen in children and even infants. Type 1 diabetes is frequently seen in children. Although it usually starts in adolescence, diabetes can also occur in younger age groups.
What Causes Diabetes in Young Ages?
Type 1 diabetes in children is It develops due to the permanent deficiency of the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar, and progresses with an increase in blood sugar. Insulin is secreted from the pancreas in our body. It allows blood sugar to be used by body cells. Especially carbohydrates that we take with food are converted into simple sugars in the intestines and absorbed and mixed with the blood. When the blood sugar starts to rise after feeding, insulin is released and the sugar is used or stored by the body cells. In type 1 diabetes patients, this process cannot be done by the body's defense system as a result of the destruction of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, the blood sugar remains high. Cells that cannot use sugar starve and break down fats and proteins to provide energy. As a result, the child loses weight. As a result of the burning of fat, acidic substances called KETON are released. And, this becomes the clinical picture called ACIDOS; It causes nausea, vomiting, and rapid breathing starts to get rid of ketones. If the necessary treatment is not started, the child may enter a severe picture called diabetes ketoacidosis and coma may develop. Type 1 diabetes is an insulin-dependent type of diabetes.
Diabetes Symptoms in Children
How is diabetes diagnosed in children? The answer to the question is often asked by families. These symptoms, which can vary from person to person, can be summarized as follows:
- Drinking a lot of water and feeling thirsty: It is one of the first symptoms. The child begins to carry a water bottle with him all the time. When a child with diabetes does not drink enough water, nausea, dizziness, dehydration, headache, weakness and fainting can be seen. Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus is an urgent and serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Eating a lot: Insulin hormone is necessary for sugar to enter cells and tissues. In insulin deprivation, the tissues feel hunger and this causes the person to get hungry quickly and eat a lot. Children with type 1 diabetes lose weight even though they eat a lot. Unlike adults, diabetes in children is often not related to diet and lifestyle. However, type 2 diabetes, which is less common in children, is associated with obesity. These children eat a lot and gain weight.
- Excessive urination: The increase in the frequency of urination of the child should be a warning for families. These children leave class at school, go to the bathroom, and wake up at night to urinate. Bedwetting may occur. Urinating a lot is called polyuria.
- Acetone or fruity odor in the breath: It occurs when the sugar in the blood is too high.
- In addition; Fatigue, weakness, weight loss, irritability, restlessness
What are the Risk Factors for Diabetes in Children?
There are several risk factors that may be associated with the development of diabetes in children:
- Family history: Type 1 diabetes does not arise genetically in children. Although it is considered, the frequency of getting the disease is slightly higher in those with a family history of this disease.
- Genetics: Some genes are thought to be associated with type 1 diabetes.
- Race: Type 1 diabetes is more common in some races.
- Viruses: Some viruses can cause the disease to occur by damaging the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
What are the Diagnostic Methods of Diabetes in Children?
Taking your child for routine health checks, regular follow-up of growth and intermittent blood tests performed at times deemed necessary by your physician, are in this regard. Your awareness is also very valuable. Blood sugar level, complete urinalysis, and advanced tests performed in suspicious cases at intervals deemed necessary Your doctor creates health checks.
The child showing the symptoms of diabetes should definitely go to the pediatrician immediately. High levels of blood sugar in cases of non-compliance with diabetes mellitus and recommended treatment principles lead to many health problems, primarily neuropathy (nerve damage), nephropathy (damage to the kidneys) and retinopathy (damage to the retina of the eye). That's why regular doctor check-ups, treatment plan and order are very important. Dynamic changes in treatment can only be achieved with regular follow-ups.
How is the Treatment of Diabetes in Children?
Type 1 diabetes in children is an insulin dependent disease. Since these children do not have enough insulin in their bodies, they can regulate their blood sugar level with short and long-acting insulin injections. They need to measure their blood sugar regularly. Education of the child with type 1 diabetes about the disease is very important. The purpose of this education is to teach the child to manage the disease and live with it. For this purpose, a diabetes nurse, dietitian and physician take part. His psychology and motivation are very important in the education of the child with diabetes. and family education. The child can keep a diary of insulin and blood sugar. Insulin is usually administered initially by the parents and then by the child himself. The child is taught to measure blood glucose by himself. Insulin is administered in the form of injections. It cannot be administered orally because stomach acid breaks down insulin. Children with type 1 diabetes should measure their blood sugar. More frequent measurements may be required in situations such as after heavy exercise, exams, birthday parties.
Insulin therapy is not applied initially in type 2 diabetes mellitus in children. Diet, exercise and lifestyle changes are very important in these. Getting the child to lose weight and exercise is essential. However, children cannot adapt to these treatment methods as easily as adults. Physician, dietitian n, diabetes nurse and, if necessary, psychologist help may be required. Family support is very important. What is important in both types of diabetes is your child's and you parents' compliance and support to the treatment plan for this condition. Creating a nutrition plan. It is very important to organize activities by creating an age-appropriate exercise plan. Our children are the most precious of all of us, in this respect, routine health checks, which are the most important for their health, should be done regularly, and if you observe the symptoms listed above in your child, it is necessary to apply to the nearest health institution for the control of diabetes, which is a condition that can be treated.
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