Diabetes symptoms could be as simple as excessive thirst but could mean much

By Dr. Renson Mukhwana

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 18 – According to the International Diabetes Federation, four out of every five parents struggle to detect diabetes symptoms in their children.

This is especially concerning given that the global prevalence of paediatric diabetes is rising.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that either prevents the pancreas from producing enough insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar or prevents the body from effectively using the insulin that it does produce.

Type 1 diabetes typically begins in childhood and is caused by the pancreas’s inability to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, occurs when the body is unable to use the insulin that it produces.

Diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, can cause significant damage to the heart and blood vessels, nerves, eyes, kidneys, and feet if left uncontrolled.

Individuals are also more vulnerable to skin and mouth infections as a result of the disease. Diabetes, at its worst, will result in death.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there has been a recent increase in the number of children with type 2 diabetes.

Given that type 2 diabetes is primarily a lifestyle disease that is often preventable, rising rates of childhood obesity are a significant contributor to the disease’s rise in prevalence.

With the potentially devastating effects of diabetes on an individual and their family, being able to recognise some signs and symptoms is critical.

One of the most common symptoms is excessive thirst. This is caused by an excess of sugar in the blood, which pulls water out of the body’s tissues, causing thirst.

The increased water intake that comes with this constant thirst causes another symptom – frequent urination.

Prolonged dehydration usually causes blurred vision and fatigue.

People with diabetes frequently have a fruity-smelling breath as a result of ketoacidosis.

This occurs when the body is forced to burn fat for energy because it cannot effectively use the glucose in the bloodstream.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) causes a build-up of acids called ketones in the blood.

When a parent suspects that their child has diabetes, they should consult a doctor who will recommend tests such as a random blood sugar test, a fasting blood sugar test, or a glycated haemoglobin A (HbA1C) test.

The first examines blood sugar levels at any time, while the second examines levels after an 8-hour fast.

The HbA1C test measures the average blood sugar over two or three months by examining how much glucose is attached to a person’s haemoglobin.

Even if the diabetes tests come back positive, there is no need to be concerned. Type 1 diabetes can be managed with insulin therapy for the rest of one’s life.

To avoid complications, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes require regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.

Furthermore, diabetics, both adults and children, must maintain healthy lifestyles that include a low-sugar diet and regular physical activity.

While there is no diabetes diet, it is a good idea to keep a regular meal schedule, increase high-fibre food intake, avoid sugary foods and drinks, and keep portion sizes to a minimum. Working with a dietician can be extremely beneficial, especially in the early stages when a family is still learning about disease management.

Parents should be on the lookout for any signs of trouble, such as confusion, nausea, vomiting, increased thirst, difficulty concentrating, and excessive fatigue, which could indicate hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) or diabetic ketoacidosis. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to see a doctor before any complications arise.

The theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day, which is observed on November 14, encourages each of us to understand our risk and response to the disease as a means of improving access to care.

It should be a rallying cry to take personal and collective steps to determine whether we have diabetes or are at risk of developing it soon.

To summarise, it is time for all of us to recognise that diabetes cases are on the rise.

While we may think of it as a lifestyle disease that only affects the wealthy, our changing lifestyles and dietary habits may be putting all of us, including our children, at greater risk of contracting the disease.

We also need to understand that diabetes is not a death sentence, but it does necessitate careful and deliberate management.

Mukhwana is Paediatric Endocrinologist at Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital.

Email: rmukhwana@gerties.org