Children with Type 1 diabetes – Facts and Symptoms

My 12 year old son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in December 2005 at the age of 8. It came as a shock to all of us. In a matter of weeks he changed from bubbly and healthy hockey player to sick-looking skinny boy who was always tired.

He lost 15lbs in a course of 4 weeks. When he started peeing his bed I took him to our family doctor and my worst fear came true. Our life changed within seconds.

His blood glucose was extremely high and he was immediately admitted into the pediatrics unit. He was white as a ghost, very fragile and had to be hooked up to an IV unit for almost 2 days just to get him stabilized.

At that time I just wanted to crawl into bed and cry, but there was this little person looking at me and waiting for my reaction. I assured him everything will be fine and I’ll be there right beside him. I always knew my son was special, but that was the day my child became my hero. My little boy was forced to grow up suddenly overnight.

Somebody was watching out for my son. I can’t even imagine if he went into coma in the middle of his hockey game and we wouldn’t know why.

For all the parents that suspect their child might have type 1 diabetes. Don’t ignore the signs. Have them checked out right away.

The signs your child might have type 1 diabetes (these signs might occur suddenly):

• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Drowsiness, lethargy
• Sugar in urine
• Sudden vision changes
• Increased appetite
• Sudden weight loss
• Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath
• Heavy, labored breathing
• Stupor, unconsciousness

Type 1 diabetes also known as Juvenile diabetes can occur at any age, but is most commonly diagnosed before age 30.

Sometimes the signs of diabetes are mistaken for ADD/ADHD as the behavior problems are quite extreme due to high or low blood glucose.

Research has shown that the trigger – an event or series of events occurring many months before the symptoms present themselves – is a combination of environmental and genetic factors that begin a process in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

There is no history of Type 1 diabetes in our family. The doctor figures that my son was sick with a flu and bacteria attacked his pancreas. There was no warning or a chance to prevent it.

My biggest issues is with people who compare Type 1 to Type 2 diabetes and suggest that my son ate too much junk food. There is no prevention or cure for Type 1 diabetes as of yet. It is a life threatening disease that needs to be taken seriously and managed properly.

To stay alive, people with Type 1 diabetes must monitor their blood glucose frequently, inject insulin several times a day or continuously infusing insulin through a pump. They must coordinate all their physical activities with their meal plan and insulin intake. Special planning must be done before traveling, attending school and pretty much most of the day to day life.