The Silent Killer Which Kills a Part of Your Life: Check Out These Five Early Signs of Diabetes in Adults and Children

Apart from type 1 diabetes, today there is massive growth in the cases of children contracting type 2 diabetes as well. Unfortunately, it comes forth as a much more aggressive type of disease in children than adults.

The experts say that children who develop type 2 diabetes could die before their parents even do. That’s not surprising seeing as diabetes is being one of the greatest health threats facing the world as the obesity epidemic amongst children and adults continues to rise.

But to be clear, when you see an overweight person, even a grossly overweight person, it does not mean to say they will get diabetes. If you are genetically pre-disposed to diabetes then the disease can be triggered.

The signs are similar in both adults and children

Adults and children however typically develop different types of diabetes. You will find type 2 diabetes occurring much more frequently in adults than children.

In fact, diabetes accounts for 25% of the adults over 60, even though type 2 diabetes is becoming rampant as well among children and young adults as well. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in adolescents and children.

Adults and children usually experience similar symptoms of diabetes. Children and young teens, however, often find it more difficult to accept that they have diabetes.

Sometimes teens even forgo their treatment so that they are in line with their peers, instead, turning to substance abuse, alcohol drinking, and cigarettes. These make it all the more difficult for the teen to manage their blood sugar levels.

Young kids and adolescents will benefit from support groups and counselors so that they feel understood and less isolated amongst their peers.

Let’s just look at the two major diabetes types:

• Type 1 diabetes: The immune system attacks the pancreas, destroying the cells that make insulin.
• Type 2 diabetes: The pancreas is still able to make insulin, but the body does not properly respond to it.

You can’t prevent getting type 1 diabetes

Doctors can’t say to anyone that they are predisposed to get type 1 diabetes. Scientists think it’s in the genes, but that it isn’t quite enough to say it, because generally, a child would need to be exposed to something like a virus to develop type 1 diabetes.

Fortunately, it is not contagious for kids, teens, and adults; it’s not a disease that can be passed from one person to another. And when you eat too much sugar as a child and teen, it’s not going to cause that child to get type 1 diabetes, either.

In fact, there isn’t a reliable way to say who will get type 1 diabetes. Blood tests can find early signs of it, but these tests aren’t done routinely and doctors can’t stop the disease in any case even when the tests prove positive.

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, can often be prevented

When you are overweight or obese, and you lead a sedentary type of life, you are putting yourself at risk to get type 2 diabetes.

In the past, adults were the only ones who would usually get type 2 diabetes, but now the kids and teens are being diagnosed with it as well. It is because the number of overweight teens and kids has grown so fast.

Even though young people might be unable to prevent and even delay the start of type 2 diabetes by taking care of their weight and involving themselves in physical activities, there are other risk factors for type 2 diabetes which can’t be changed.

Those are the children who have one or two family members with type 2 diabetes and who are at increased risk of getting the disease. There are some racial and ethnic groups which are more susceptible to getting it as well.

Early signs of types 1 and 2 diabetes

• You will definitely have elevated blood sugar levels,
• You will feel the urge to urinate often because of high amounts of glucose in the urine. This, in turn, leads to you being more dehydrated, and being dehydrated urges anyone to need to drink more because of increased thirst.
• Being insulin deficient can make you lose weight. This insufficient insulin prevents your blood from getting blood into the body’s cells for energy use.
  
  This causes the body to start burning muscle and fat for energy causing you to lose weight. This can occur despite you having an increased appetite.
• People with diabetes always complain of being tired.
• Nausea with vomiting is an early sign of untreated diabetes.
• You will also notice infections of the bladder, the skin and also in the vaginal area as an early sign. Some people with diabetes have bladders which don’t empty well, leaving urine staying in the bladder too long, which can cause bacteria to breed.
• Because of fluctuations in your blood glucose levels, you can be experiencing blurred vision.
• If you have not been diagnosed with diabetes yet, and your glucose levels are extremely high, you can be so lethargic you can slip into a coma.
• If it’s a child, there might be bed-wetting in the child who previously didn’t wet their bed.
• Often there are mood changes and irritability.

How can you protect yourself and the kids from developing type 2 diabetes?

When you see and realize the symptoms of diabetes, you definitely need to get a diagnosis from your doctor. That’s step one. If you don’t want to get this disease, follow these steps:

• Eating a healthy diet is imperative. This means low fat and nutrient-rich foods.
• It’s time to cut down big-time on sugary foods and soda drinks because when a lot of sugar is consumed, a lot of weight is gained.
• You and the kids need to get involved in plenty of physical activities because staying active is the name of the game. Time spent watching TV, or playing computer games increases the chances of weight gain.
  
  Get out there and mow the lawn, take a walk, take the stairs. Try things that get you and the kids on the move each day.
• If you do think you and your kids are overweight and at a risk for type 2 diabetes, you need to chat to your doctor or even a registered dietitian because they can help you know what your weight goals should be and how you can reach them. A doctor will ask about the child’s symptoms, take blood samples and urine tests.
  
  The most important treatments will be lifestyle interventions, which will include weight management, dietary changes, and exercise. Insulin might be prescribed with other medications and the child might need to regularly monitor his or her blood glucose levels.
  
  Parents and caregivers need to let the child’s teachers and coaches, etc. know of treatment plans so supervision of diabetes occurs away from home.

Eat, play, and live right

Type 2 diabetes is becoming much more prevalent in children today, as are adults; with childhood obesity continuing on the upward climb. Even though the condition can be difficult to detect in kids, it is even harder to determine the long-term effects of having it at such a young age.

That is why it is essential to focus on healthy lifestyle habits straight away, not only to protect your children and your own health but to save your purse from appearing as if the bottom has fallen out, let alone the feeling that you have lost a part of your life.