With people who don’t have diabetes, when food is eaten insulin is released by the pancreas to help glucose be absorbed into the bloodstream. However, if a person has diabetes, the pancreas can’t make and use insulin properly, and it begins to build up in the blood.

Some of the early symptoms of diabetes in kids are increased thirst and urination, weight loss, weakness and fatigue. A child may even become drowsy, or develop a serious complication called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). If a child has DKA, ketones begin to buildup in the blood, and this condition can result in diabetic coma or in more severe cases, death. Because juvenile diabetes is usually detected early on, fortunately DKA is not common. If a baby or toddler has diabetes, symptoms may be difficult to detect, as babies can’t tell their parents what is wrong. In most cases, diabetes symptoms in babies and toddlers are the same as those in older children.

When your child is first diagnosed with diabetes, there will be a lot of information you will need to absorb. You will have to be responsible for administering your child’s insulin, medications, sticking to a diabetes diet, and testing blood sugar. Doctors will work closely with you and your child to help you find the right dosage of insulin, and to help support you and provide you with resources.

You can help your child adjust to diabetes by providing them with age-appropriate support and reassurance, especially when your child is first diagnosed. Your child will experience many emotions as they adjust to life with diabetes, but as they grow older and become more comfortable with the diagnosis, your child can take on more of their diabetes management responsibility.

You will have to ensure that your child carefully balances their diet to ensure that they are getting the proper levels of carbohydrates to keep their blood sugar levels stable. They will have to eat at the same times each day as well. Once you become more comfortable with your child’s diabetes diagnosis, you can work with caregivers and family members to help them understand more about their condition.

If your child is diagnosed with diabetes, remember that you are not alone! There are many health care professionals, diabetes organizations, and support workers who can assist you with the tools you need to help your child manage their diabetes.

http://www.HealthChoices.ca provides you with comprehensive medical information and health listings.

Author: Jackson Sayers
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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