If a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, parents should know how the disease can affect their child’s health throughout life.
Some health problems have been linked to type 1 diabetes. Parents can help their child by knowing what may happen.
Appropriate treatment along with diet and exercise can control or even prevent complications from diabetes.
Glycated hemoglobin
By testing glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), parents can get a clear picture of how well their child’s diabetes treatment plan is working. Glycated hemoglobin reflects the body’s average blood glucose level over the past 2 to 3 months. Blood glucose levels change daily, so this average gives parents a better idea of what is really going on. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that children should have a glycosylated hemoglobin level of less than 7.5%.
Kids who keep their blood sugar levels high for a long time can cause damage to their bodies and lead to health problems. Blood sugar problems are common, but left untreated they can have serious effects.
Low blood sugar
Low blood sugar is a condition that can happen when blood sugar levels are low.
Symptoms vary for each person and may include the following:
- Feeling dizzy;
- vacant sweating;
- Chills;
- Fatigue;
- dizziness, confusion, irritability;
- Headache;
- Hunger;
- Rapid heartbeat.
You can treat hypoglycemia by having your child consume 15 to 20 grams of glucose, which is equivalent to a handful of raisins or half a glass of juice. Repeat until blood sugar returns to normal.
If you don’t treat hypoglycemia, your child may faint or even pass out. Glucagon, a hormone that promotes the release of glucose from the liver, needs to be injected into the child’s bloodstream by parents or other paramedics to bring him or her back to consciousness. Consult your doctor for information.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia occurs when there is too much glucose in the blood. When hyperglycemia occurs, your child may feel thirsty and go to the bathroom frequently. In severe cases, hyperglycemia can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the body is unable to use glucose properly, releasing ketones into the bloodstream. A build-up of ketones can lead to coma and even death.
Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include:
- Special breath;
- nausea or vomiting;
- dry mouth;
- shortness of breath;
- Abdominal pain.
Parents can keep a close eye on their child’s blood glucose levels in order to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis. If you see signs of diabetic ketoacidosis, seek immediate medical attention.
Celiac disease
People with diabetes are at 10 times the risk of developing celiac disease compared to normal people. The small intestine of people with celiac disease reacts to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley), which prevents your child from getting the nutrients he or she needs.
Children with celiac disease often have the following digestive problems.
- pain;
- Distention;
- Flatulence;
- Vomiting;
- Constipation.
Celiac disease symptoms can vary in adults and are not usually reflected in the digestive system.
Prolonged celiac disease can prevent your child from getting the nutrients he or she needs, which can lead to other problems. For example:
- weight loss;
- Mood changes;
- delayed puberty;
- Dental damage;
- dysplasia.
If your child has celiac disease, your doctor may recommend switching to a gluten-free diet. Once the diet is adjusted, symptoms usually improve.
Kidney disease
The kidneys are able to filter out salt, water, and waste from the blood. Diabetes may cause damage to the blood vessels that transport blood to the kidneys. About 30% of people with type 1 diabetes may develop kidney failure.
Children are usually tested 3 to 5 years after the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.
Kidney disease can lead to the following conditions:
- weight gain;
- swollen ankles;
- High blood pressure;
- Multiple nighttime awakenings;
- Protein in the urine.
In addition, your doctor may use angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to control kidney disease.
Eye disease
Your child will need regular eye exams throughout his or her life. Make sure your doctor knows that your child has type 1 diabetes so that he or she can detect and treat any potential problems. Children are usually screened for eye disease 3 to 5 years after they are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
A potential problem is the development of diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to damage to the retina. The retina is the area at the back of the eye that sends image signals to the brain. The longer a child has diabetes, the more likely it is that retinopathy will occur. Symptoms usually do not appear until the condition is severe. Therefore, regular visits to the eye doctor for checkups are needed.
Symptoms include:
- Spotting in the visual field;
- Blurred vision;
- black areas or spots in the center of vision;
- Difficulty seeing clearly at night;
- blindness.
Treatment for retinopathy includes medication, laser treatment, or surgery.
Neuropathy
Diabetes causes patients to be in a chronic state of high blood sugar and high blood pressure, which not only increases the risk of developing nerve damage, but can also lead to problems in the following areas.
- Foot, hand, arm, and leg problems: This can lead to loss of sensation in the extremities, or becoming weak or having a burning, tingling sensation or feeling cold, or developing soreness in the feet.
- Bladder problems: Your child may not know when to go to the bathroom, or may leak urine.
- Digestive problems: There may be difficulty swallowing, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting.
- Vain sweating: Your child may sweat a lot while sleeping or eating.
- Eye problems: It is hard to see changes in the light.
- Heart problems: Heart rate and blood pressure are controlled by the nerves. Because of nerve damage, children may experience dizziness, shortness of breath, or even fainting.
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Nerve damage can also mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia. This is more likely to happen in people who have had type 1 diabetes for a long time.
There is no cure for nerve damage, but the symptoms can be treated. Doctors may prescribe medications for specific pain, or recommend lifestyle changes, acupuncture, or physical therapy to manage the symptoms. In addition, doctors may recommend certain vitamins or fatty acid supplements.
Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes is associated with cardiovascular disease such as heart disease and stroke. Adults with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than non-diabetic adults.
Parents can help their children stay healthy and reduce their chances of developing cardiovascular disease by encouraging them to adhere to the following things.
- Maintain a healthy weight;
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day;
- Eat more fiber-rich foods and less saturated fat and sugar;
- Do not smoke;
- Take your medications as prescribed by your doctor;
- Get support from your medical team to ensure treatment is done correctly.