When a child who is pre-disposed to uncontrolled sugar level is not put on the proper health path you, as parent or guardian, will be responsible for what happens to them later in life.
There are approximately 210,000 young people (under 20) living with diagnosed type 2 diabetes in the United States. The number of non-diagnosed cases of the disease is still unclear. As per the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), during the period of 2002 – 2012 the number of children suffering with uncontrolled blood sugar increased by 4.8% over previous years. And this rate will continue to rise if we don’t start taking steps to identify and deal with the problem now.
The obvious problem with developing this disease at an early age is that complications such as high blood pressure, kidney and vision problems will happen even sooner if left unchecked.
Juvenile diabetes vs. type 2 diabetes in children
Juvenile diabetes is a condition where the pancreas loses its ability to make insulin because the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. This can occur in children as young as 4 years old but is usually detected in older children and young adults.
In children with type 2 diabetes the pancreas still produces insulin however the body is not using it efficiently. This causes an increase in circulating blood sugar and can lead to many health problems.
It is still unclear why youngsters develop type 1 diabetes however those with type 2 develop the disease because of excessive weight – consuming a poor diet and a lack of activity, or have a family history of diabetes.
My posts are directed toward those with type 2 diabetes which can be treated without medication by making some life changes.
It is incumbent on parents or guardians to provide guidance for their children’s health and well being.
How to identify symptoms of uncontrolled blood sugar in your child
Preventing diabetes from developing in your children starts with knowing the signs of pre-diabetes and taking steps to fix or change poor lifestyle habits. The symptoms of pre-diabetes are very subtle and will take paying careful attention to your kids. The usual symptoms include:
Peeing more often than normal. We do this about six to seven times per day. If your child is doing this more often such as getting up at night to pee then make note of this.
If they are having vision problems, such as blurriness or standing closer to the TV, their blood sugar may be higher than normal.
Increased thirst is also a classic symptom.
Being constantly tired can indicate a sugar crash.
If cuts or bruises take longer than normal to heal – their body’s cell may not be getting the necessary nourishment.
These are by no means a complete list of symptoms but are very noticeable. By being vigilant you can start taking corrective action.
Steps to prevent pre-diabetes in children
The first action step to take is to visit with your doctor to determine whether your child is pre-diabetic. They will run tests and if it’s determined that their blood sugar is out of wack they will help you set up a plan to correct the condition.
The next thing to do is to fix their diet – limit sugary drinks and foods containing high amounts of the sweet stuff. Monitor their intake of unhealthy fats such as cookies and fries that are loaded with trans fat.
Just as the FDA requires a warning label on cigarettes there should be one on most of the cereals we buy. It should warn of the danger to kids developing diabetes when they get older if they continue consuming sugary breakfast cereals.
Set the right example at home by preparing healthy meals and snacks.
Exercise or physical activity should be part of every child’s daily routine. Limit boob tube and stationary electronic game time each day and encourage your child to go out and be more social.
Overweight children are at risk for diabetes. Make it a priority to educate your child about proper health habits so that when they are not at home they will make the right choices.
Remember that a diagnosis of pre-diabetes doesn’t mean your child will develop type 2 diabetes. It is a warning, however, that you need to take action to prevent the condition from advancing to full blown diabetes.
Check out my updated copy of How to Prevent Pre-diabetes for more information on dealing with this disease without the use of medication.