By Beverleigh H Piepers
Short-term complications may happen in a child suffering from early onset Type 2 diabetes. This may be due your child's recent physical activity, food intake or medications he/she is currently taking. Short-term complications associated with childhood Type 2 diabetes requires immediate attention.
What are the signs of trouble in childhood Type 2 diabetes?
1. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar concentration: Your child may experience low blood sugar concentration or hypoglycemia when he/she:
* tries to skip a meal or not eat enough
* has more intense physical activity than normal
* is sick, and
* takes too much medication or insulin
Early signs of hypoglycemia include:
* feeling shaky, sweaty or clammy
* hunger
* nausea
* headache
* dizziness, and
* drowsiness
On the other hand, severe hypoglycemia may result in passing out or coma, seizures, or behavioral changes.
How do you manage your child's hypoglycemia? Give your child something to eat or drink that contains sugar. This may be in the form of 2-3 glucose tablets (4g carb each), candy (hard candy such as lifesavers), regular soda or fruit juice. (4 to 6 oz or 120 to 180 mls). Recheck his/her blood sugar fifteen minutes later, and if it is not coming up, give more juice or glucose tablets. If for some reason, blood sugar does not rise, or symptoms become worse, call your doctor. Report low blood sugar episodes to your child's doctor so adjustments can be made in his/her plan of care.
2. Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar concentration: Your child's blood sugar level may spike due to certain situations. This may include:
* eating too much
* illnesses, and
* not taking his/her medications
The symptoms of hyperglycemia may include:
* increased frequency of urination
* excessive thirst
* blurring of vision
* tingling in fingers or tongue
* nausea, and
* tiredness and weakness
Severe cases of hyperglycemia may lead to nausea and vomiting and sometimes even coma. If you think your child has increased blood sugar, check his blood sugar level. If the blood sugar is really quite high, the best thing to do is call your child's doctor.
3. Diabetic ketoacidosis or increased ketone concentration in your child's urine: Ketones are formed if glucose is not available; the body burns fat for energy and this is when ketones are formed. It usually happens when your child's cells crave more energy causing his or her body to breakdown fat stores from the fatty tissues. This condition is quite common in children with Type 1 diabetes but it can sometimes happen in Type 2 diabetes also.
Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis include:
* loss of appetite
* gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and stomach pains
* fever and sweet fruity smell of your child's breath
may signal ongoing development of ketoacidosis. If you suspect ketoacidosis, check your child's urine for ketones. If your child's ketone is above normal, contact your child's doctor immediately as this is considered an emergency.
Short-term complications may happen in a child suffering from early onset Type 2 diabetes. This may be due your child's recent physical activity, food intake or medications he/she is currently taking. Short-term complications associated with childhood Type 2 diabetes requires immediate attention.
What are the signs of trouble in childhood Type 2 diabetes?
1. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar concentration: Your child may experience low blood sugar concentration or hypoglycemia when he/she:
* tries to skip a meal or not eat enough
* has more intense physical activity than normal
* is sick, and
* takes too much medication or insulin
Early signs of hypoglycemia include:
* feeling shaky, sweaty or clammy
* hunger
* nausea
* headache
* dizziness, and
* drowsiness
On the other hand, severe hypoglycemia may result in passing out or coma, seizures, or behavioral changes.
How do you manage your child's hypoglycemia? Give your child something to eat or drink that contains sugar. This may be in the form of 2-3 glucose tablets (4g carb each), candy (hard candy such as lifesavers), regular soda or fruit juice. (4 to 6 oz or 120 to 180 mls). Recheck his/her blood sugar fifteen minutes later, and if it is not coming up, give more juice or glucose tablets. If for some reason, blood sugar does not rise, or symptoms become worse, call your doctor. Report low blood sugar episodes to your child's doctor so adjustments can be made in his/her plan of care.
2. Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar concentration: Your child's blood sugar level may spike due to certain situations. This may include:
* eating too much
* illnesses, and
* not taking his/her medications
The symptoms of hyperglycemia may include:
* increased frequency of urination
* excessive thirst
* blurring of vision
* tingling in fingers or tongue
* nausea, and
* tiredness and weakness
Severe cases of hyperglycemia may lead to nausea and vomiting and sometimes even coma. If you think your child has increased blood sugar, check his blood sugar level. If the blood sugar is really quite high, the best thing to do is call your child's doctor.
3. Diabetic ketoacidosis or increased ketone concentration in your child's urine: Ketones are formed if glucose is not available; the body burns fat for energy and this is when ketones are formed. It usually happens when your child's cells crave more energy causing his or her body to breakdown fat stores from the fatty tissues. This condition is quite common in children with Type 1 diabetes but it can sometimes happen in Type 2 diabetes also.
Signs of diabetic ketoacidosis include:
* loss of appetite
* gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and stomach pains
* fever and sweet fruity smell of your child's breath
may signal ongoing development of ketoacidosis. If you suspect ketoacidosis, check your child's urine for ketones. If your child's ketone is above normal, contact your child's doctor immediately as this is considered an emergency.
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