No parent wants to consider the possibility that their child is affected by a disease as serious as Type 1 diabetes, however, in many cases not being proactive in recognizing the signs could mean the difference between life and death. Type 1 diabetes is an irreversible condition in which the body cannot produce the insulin necessary to regulate glucose, or blood sugar, levels. Compared to Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 is very rare, affecting only 5 percent of those with the disease, according to statistics from the American Diabetes Association. Because it is almost always diagnosed in children and young adults, it was once referred to as juvenile diabetes.

Several potential side effects can occur when glucose levels in the body aren’t properly regulated. Many people report feeling fatigued or weakened when their blood sugar is out of whack. If promptly treated with medication, these symptoms can be easily controlled. However, Type 1 diabetes opens the door to a number or related conditions that aren’t as easy to manage. These conditions include nerve damage, heart or blood vessel disease, kidney damage, skin and mouth conditions, eye damage and hearing loss, among others, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Perhaps even more critical is the risk of entering a diabetic coma, sometimes called diabetic shock. This is a serious state in which the blood sugar levels in the body are either far too high (hyperglycemia) or far too low (hypoglycemia). Without insulin present to regulate these sugars by converting them into starches that the body can use as food, the body can enter a state of unconsciousness that makes it impossible to respond to external stimuli – and impossible to get the medicine necessary to treat the condition. Because of this, diabetic coma has the chance of becoming a life-threatening issue.

How to recognize signs of Type 1 diabetes in your child
The only way to truly know if your child is experiencing symptoms of Type 1 diabetes is to have your child tested by a doctor. However, there are a number of warning signs that parents can and should watch for in order to know when to make an appointment.

Some of the characteristic early symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include extreme thirst and increased frequency of urination. It may seem as if the child cannot get properly hydrated, even as he or she eliminates the excess fluids. Changes in diet, such as increased hunger, may also occur, as can sudden weight loss. Many children also report feeling constantly tired and weak, and experiencing blurred or fuzzy vision. A key factor is that the symptoms seem to come on suddenly, as if out of nowhere, and do not fade.

If your child begins experiencing a combination of symptoms, it may be time to ask for a diabetes test. If the condition is caught early and properly controlled through medication, such as insulin injections, children can lead healthy, normal lives. However, identifying it early is the key.

Though instances of Type 1 diabetes have historically been rare and have been overshadowed lately due to the dramatic spike in cases of obesity-related Type 2 diabetes, new data show that the condition is becoming more common.

“It’s a slow rise, but it’s there. And no one is quite sure why,” Sarah Hart-Unger, M.D., pediatric endocrinologist at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, told the Miami Herald.

Parents with children who are affected by this disease should remain tuned in to their child’s health, both to monitor the diabetes itself and to look for warning signs that may indicate a related health complication. Most conditions can be managed with help from a physician if they’re caught early and properly treated.

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