Symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children need to be watched out for

Diabetes is a disease characterized by increasing blood sugar levels. This disease is more common in older people, but children can actually experience it. Diabetes mellitus which commonly occurs in children is type 1 diabetes, although there are also children and adolescents who have type 2 diabetes. One of the differences between diabetes 1 and 2 is in the process of symptom appearance. What are the typical symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children?

Various symptoms of type 1 diabetes that need to be watched out for

Type 1 diabetes is also known as diabetes juvenile because it attacks children more often. But actually, this disease can also be experienced by adults or babies.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells. As a result, the body lacks or does not have the hormone insulin at all.

According to the CDC, it may take months to years for the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas to break down until symptoms of type 1 diabetes finally appear.

However, unlike type 2 which generally does not show any particular complaints, the symptoms of type 1 diabetes are quite noticeable and tend to develop in a short time.

It is important to be aware of the appearance of symptoms of type 1 diabetes, especially in children. That way, diabetics — the term for diabetics — can get treatment of type 1 diabetes right and faster.

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are actually not much different from the symptoms of diabetes in general.

In the first weeks of symptoms appearing, a child with type 1 diabetes may experience several signs:

Urinating frequently or possibly wetting the bed.
Often feel thirsty and drink a lot.
Often feel hungry.
Often feel tired, weak, and dizzy due to lack of energy.
Weight loss drastically in a short time.
Experiencing behavior changes, such as feeling restless, angry, and having difficulty controlling emotions.
The breath smells like a fruity scent.

From these initial symptoms, type 1 diabetes can also experience other health problems. Especially if diabetes has affected the function of other organs, such as:

Vision problems due to diabetes such as blurred vision
Indigestion such as nausea and vomiting
Tingling, numbness, painful sensation in the feet
Dry, itchy skin
The wound is difficult to heal

In addition to the symptoms mentioned, there are certain symptoms and conditions that people with type 1 diabetes tend to experience more often, namely:

1. Yeast infection of the vagina

Type 1 diabetes can lead to vaginal yeast infections in girls. This infection is caused by a fungus Candida albicans . Infection by yeast can make the vagina itchy, smell bad, and cause abnormal vaginal discharge.

Girls who are not yet puberty and have type 1 diabetes may have symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection. Likewise, babies with type 1 diabetes can develop diaper rash due to fungus.

Described in the journal Clinical Medicine, diabetics are prone to experiencing yeast infections in the vagina because of the high sugar content in the urine. Urine that contains a lot of sugar is a productive environment for vaginal yeast to breed.

In addition, a decreased immune system due to diabetes also affects the occurrence of these type 1 diabetes symptoms. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can cause a decrease in the amount of protein working in the immune system. Weak resistance of the immune system causes yeast in the vagina to multiply rapidly.

To treat the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, the doctor will give you an antifungal drug which is usually given in pill form or in the form of a cream.

2. High ketones

The body of people with type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin to help break down glucose into energy. Instead, the body will switch to burning fat for energy. Burning fat to help the absorption of glucose will produce large amounts of ketone acid.

High levels of ketones in the blood are indicated by a number of symptoms of type 1 diabetes that are getting worse. Diabetics will urinate more often than usual, nausea and vomiting, and bad breath.

In addition, according to the American Diabetes Association, this condition can lead to complications of diabetic ketoacidosis requiring emergency hospital assistance. Symptoms of this complication of type 1 diabetes are shown when the sufferer feels short and has difficulty breathing. Seek clinical help as soon as possible when this condition occurs.

3. Diabetes honeymoon period (temporary normal blood sugar)

The honeymoon period often occurs in people with type 1 diabetes who are just undergoing insulin treatment for diabetes. During this time, blood sugar levels can be within the normal range of healthy people without diabetes. This condition can make sufferers think that their diabetes is cured.

In fact, this condition does not indicate that the patient is completely cured of diabetes. As the name suggests, the honeymoon phase describes normal blood sugar levels as temporary.

This is caused by pancreatic beta cells that have not been completely damaged and are still functioning to produce insulin.

Generally, the honeymoon period for people with type 1 diabetes is usually different. This can take only a matter of weeks, but some can take months to years. Mostly, the honeymoon period occurs in the first three months after diabetes diagnosis.

A person who is in the honeymoon phase can lower the insulin injection dose or even stop it altogether. However, they will need it again when this period ends.

The honeymoon period ends when the beta cells in the pancreas are no longer able to produce insulin or are completely destroyed. After that, diabetes treatment will depend entirely on insulin drugs to control blood sugar in normal levels.

Type 1 diabetics or children who experience this chronic disease need special attention. The reason is, this disease not only leads to dangerous complications of diabetes, but can also hinder the growth process for children.

Therefore, if you recognize the symptoms and signs of this disease experienced by your child, immediately consult a doctor. Checking for type 1 diabetes will be carried out through a series of tests to measure blood sugar levels. Autoantibody tests are also needed to detect autoimmune conditions that cause type 1 diabetes.