Signs Your Child May Have Diabetes

Learn about childhood diabetes from your Grayslake pediatrician.

Are you concerned that your child may have diabetes? Your pediatricians in Grayslake, IL at Mundelein Pediatrics share some common childhood diabetessymptoms of the disease.

What are the types of diabetes?

Your child may suffer from either Type I or Type II diabetes. In Type I diabetes, your child's immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Once those cells are gone, your child can no longer make insulin on his or her own. Insulin is needed to transport glucose, or blood sugar, from your child's blood into his or her cells. Glucose provides a natural source of energy for the body.

Type II diabetes occurs when the body doesn't use insulin properly or can't make enough of it.

What are common signs and symptoms of diabetes?

Several signs and symptoms are common in both forms of the disease, including:

  • Frequent urination: If your child has diabetes, you may notice more frequent trips to the bathroom as his or her body attempts to get rid of excess glucose.
  • Dehydration: Urinating frequently depletes your child's water level. If dehydration is a problem, you may notice that he or she is irritable, weak, dizzy, has trouble thinking clearly and complains of a dry mouth.
  • Thirst: Dry mouth may cause your child to drink much more than normal.
  • Weight loss: Glucose contains calories. When your child loses large amounts of glucose through urination, he or she may begin to lose weight.
  • Blurred vision: A high glucose level can cause swelling of the lenses of your child's eyes, resulting in blurry vision.
  • Other symptoms: Other possible symptoms of diabetes include increased hunger, fatigue, cuts that are slow to heal, numbness or tingling in the feet or hands, itchy skin, heavy breathing, nausea and vomiting.

If you suspect that your child has diabetes, take him or her to the pediatrician as soon as possible, as ignoring these warning signs can lead to serious illness or even death. Call your pediatricians in Grayslake, IL at (847) 548-7337 to make an appointment.

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