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11 Signs Of Type 1 Diabetes In Children You Must Not Ignore

  

Warning Signs of Type 1 Diabetes in Children

Type 1 diabetes is also known as Juvenile Diabetes. It affects children and adolescents more often but can develop in adults even in rare circumstances. Diabetes is a condition when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce it to metabolize sugar in the blood. It is insulin that delivers the glucose molecules to the cells for the release of energy.

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes- type 1 and type 2. In type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t produce insulin at all. In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin or creates it in insufficient quantities. The exact reason why type 1 diabetes occurs is still a topic of debate. Research has proved that genetic expression, inflammation levels and in some cases, even viral infections have a considerable role to play in this type of diabetes.

It is believed that the body’s immune system turns against itself and destroys islets of Langerhans, the pancreatic cells which produce insulin. When there is no insulin in the blood, the level of glucose increases leading to severe complications if left untreated. Since most of the patients who have type 1 diabetes are children, they might not understand the signs of the disease. As parents or guardians, it is crucial to arms oneself with knowledge of symptoms of diabetes in children. In type 1 diabetes, the symptoms appear quickly, and the onset of the disease is sudden.

Also Read: Difference Between Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes

Complications Associated with Type 1 Diabetes in Children

Type 1 diabetes may have the potential to damage major organs or even organ systems in the body. Keeping the blood sugar levels under control is the key to reducing the risks associated with Type 1 Diabetes in children. Below are some risk factors which may come along with Type 1 Diabetes:

  1. Cardiovascular problems-  Type 1 Diabetes in children increases their risk of developing high blood pressure levels, stroke or other diseases of the blood vessels later in life.
  2. Malfunctioning kidney(s)-  Type 1 Diabetes may affect the waste filtering capability of one or both the kidneys by damaging the small clusters of blood vessels present in the kidneys.
  3. Increased risk of osteoporosis-  It may be responsible for reducing the bone mineral density, which gives rise to osteoporosis in late adulthood.  
  4. Reduced vision capacity-  Type 1 Diabetes may be detrimental to the blood vessels present in the retina of the eye, leading to vision problems.
  5. Damage to the nervous system-  It can cause damage to the nervous system by damaging the walls of the blood vessels which supply blood to the nerves.

Most of children with type 1 diabetes only get diagnosed when they present with Diabetic ketoacidosis, which is state in type 1 diabetes with very high sugar, vomiting ,abdominal pain and fruity smelled fast breathing.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes in Children

1. Increased Urination

One of the prominent warning signs of type 1 diabetes is increased urination. High sugar levels lead to a toxic environment in the blood. The body tries to bring back balance by eliminating the excess sugar. The kidneys produce excessive urine, and this makes one take frequent trips to the washroom.

2. Excessive Thirst

The body can get dehydrated due to frequent urination. To replenish the fluids, it demands more water by making the child feel thirsty. If your child is demanding water too frequently, talk to his doctor. It could be a warning sign of type 1 diabetes.

3. Extreme Hunger

The body converts the food we eat into glucose, the smallest currency of energy. When one suffers from type 1 diabetes, the glucose cannot be used by the body as there is a lack of insulin- the hormone responsible for delivering glucose molecules to the cells. This makes one feel low in energy. So the body demands more food to stave off the hunger. It is a vicious cycle. If your child has an increased appetite, observe if he is showing other warning signs of type 1 diabetes.

4. Mood Changes and Irritability

The continually fluctuating blood sugar levels create havoc on the mood of a person. Children are no different. When the sugar levels are low, we feel morose and irritable. When they are high, we feel full of energy and are in a better mood. When the levels dip too low or go too high, it could make one feeling depressed or manic. Frequent and unexplained mood swings in kids could be a warning sign of type 1 diabetes.

5. Blurred Vision

The eye provides us with sight due to the lens which bends and stretches to help form images which are then sent as signals to the brain. Fluids nourish this lens in the eye. High sugar levels affect the flexibility of the appears. This leads to blurry vision. When the blood sugar levels come under control and the diabetes is managed, the vision returns to normal. Vision changes are an early warning sign of type 1 diabetes.

Read More: How Diabetes Affects The Eyes?

6. Excessive Fatigue

In type 1 diabetes, there may be a high amount of sugar in the blood but since it cannot be used by the cells. This makes the person feel weak and tired. Excessive and unexplained fatigue and weakness is a visible warning sign of type 1 diabetes.

7. Unexplained Weight Loss

While the body may demand more food and feel more hungry than usual, since the primary energy-providing mechanism is not working correctly, the patient may experience unexplained weight loss. The high sugar levels are not helping the cells which are deprived of energy leading to a decline in body mass due to loss of fat and muscle in the body.

8. Bed Wetting

This is commonly observed in children who haven’t been wetting the bed earlier. High sugar levels lead to frequent urination. Children cannot control their urge in the sleep leading to bedwetting, another warning sign of type 1 diabetes.

9. Fruity-Smelling Breath

When the body uses fat to produce energy, it leads to the formation of ketones. Ketones provide a fruity-smelling scent to the breath. If left unchecked, high levels of ketones in the body lead to ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening condition.

10. Yeast Infections

This is another warning sign of type 1 diabetes. High sugar levels are dangerous for the health of genital organs as they lead to an unhindered proliferation of vaginal yeast, bacteria, and fungi. This subjects the girl child to many vaginal and urinary tract infections. Controlling the blood sugar is the best way to reduce the frequency of the infections.

11. Nausea and Vomiting

This is a warning sign of type 1 diabetes exclusive to this type. When the body burns fats and muscles instead of carbohydrates to release energy, it releases ketones- the waste materials of the process. In small amounts, they don’t cause much damage, but in high quantities, they can cause toxicity in the blood leading to nausea and vomiting.

Children are more prone to develop complications of type 1 diabetes like hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis and there are high chances that the symptoms for these complications are frequently missed and underdiagnosed. Timely intervention is very crucial.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

Conclusion

The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes can lead make you feel overwhelmed as a parent. The responsibility of administering injections, monitoring sugar levels and taking care of the diet apart from worrying about the child will add to your woes. Remember sugar control is important to avoid harmful effects of sugar  causing  complications, some of which can be fatal. With consistent care and appropriate medication, the situation can be brought under control.

Also Read: 10 Harmful Effects of Sugar

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

4

Is Zydus Cadila Vaccine Approved For Children 12 Years And Above?

After months of coping with a healthcare crisis of unimaginable proportions, we finally have news that will cheer everyone up! Very soon, even children will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Parents can now breathe a sigh of relief.

To combat the ongoing second wave of COVID-19 and to prevent another escalation or the arrival of the third wave, India has been proactively administering COVID-19 vaccines for months. The goal is to vaccinate the majority of the population by the end of the year.

Till date, only legal adults were eligible for the vaccination. The safety of the vaccine for people below 18 years of age was being researched. 

Naturally, parents were worried for the safety of their children and due to this reason schools also could not function as it would pose a tremendous health risk. But the Drug Controller General of India has recently given emergency use approval to another homegrown vaccine- ZyCoV-D, The Zydus Cadila COVID-19 vaccine. It is now the world’s only Covid vaccine that is needle-free and India’s only vaccine that can be administered to individuals in the age bracket of 12 to 18 years. 

Here’s what we know about ZyCoV-D

 ZyCoV-D has been developed by one of India’s top pharmaceutical companies Zydus Cadila, based in Ahmedabad under the ‘Mission COVID Suraksha’ programme. The Zydus Cadila vaccine approval by DCGI came on Friday, 20 August. It is the 6th vaccine to receive emergency use approval in India after Covishield, Covaxin, Sputnik V and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. 

The Zydus Cadila COVID-19 vaccine is also the first plasmid DNA vaccine for COVID-19 in the world. The Plasmid DNA platform also allows generating new constructs quickly to deal with mutations in the virus, such as those already occurring. The results of the Phase I part of the Phase I/II clinical trial have already been published in the EClinical Medicine Journal of Lancet.

How is the Zydus Cadila COVID-19 vaccine different from the other vaccines in India?

It is a three-dose vaccine, first dose on day 0 followed by the second dose on 28th day and third dose on 56th day.

The COVID-19 vaccine from Zydus Cadila is a needle-free vaccine, it will be applied using the PharmaJet system which can minimise the vaccine hesitation in children due to fear of needles and is also expected to reduce the pain at the site of the vaccine caused in case of injections. 

The Zydus Cadila COVID-19 vaccine has to be stored within 2 to 8 degrees temperature but it gives the flexibility of storage temperature. It can tolerate temperatures as high as 25 degrees Celsius which will ease the transportation of these vaccines.

 Zydus Cadila COVID-19 vaccine is a plasmid DNA vaccine that will elicit an immune response mediated by cellular and humoral arms of the human immune system, which play a vital role in protection from disease as well as viral clearance.

When can we expect the Zydus Cadila COVID-19 vaccine?

Parents will want to know how soon they can get their children vaccinated. Zydus Cadila announced that it will be able to roll out the vaccines in 45-60 days from the day of approval. There is no available data on the price of the vaccine.

More Zydus Cadila vaccine updates will stream in soon. For now, we can celebrate the arrival of a 3-dose, needle-free covid vaccine- ZyCoV-D that is considered safe for children in the age group of 12-18, as the safety and efficacy of this vaccine are well established as notified in a press release by Zydus.  

Pros and Cons of a DNA Vaccine

Like all other vaccines, Zydus Cadila also comes with its own set of pros and cons which we need to be aware of especially because of its plasmid DNA composition. Read below to know the potential pros and cons of Zydus Cadila.

Pros of Zydus Cadila:

Cons of Zydus Cadila:

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

4 Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids

Getting Kids To Eat Healthily

Every mother will agree – feeding kids is a cumbersome and tiresome task. And things get insanely tricky when it comes to feeding them anything ‘healthy.’   Kids, these days are extremely finicky when it comes to eating right and with the plethora of junk options available it’s nowhere close to easy when it comes to convincing the brats and bring them onto a healthy plate.

So, if you are already tired and losing the steam running after your little ones, these instant and highly healthy snacking ideas should breathe a new lease of life into your super hectic schedule. Why? Because we bring you 4 interesting healthy snack ideas for kids!

Here Are 4 Healthy Snack Ideas

1. Healthy Granola Bites

Most kids love to munch on chocolate bars. Now, you can replace these unhealthy bars with some very healthy granola bites. Here’s a quick snapshot of this highly yummy recipe:

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Put all the ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. Once all the ingredients are well-mixed, use your hands to make medium-sized balls.
  3. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours and give them to the kids whenever they feel hungry between their meals.
  4. You can also add a few bites to a glass of cold milk and serve it as a delicious chocolate smoothie.

How Is This Snack Healthy?

Oats is a versatile ingredient that has enough fibre and proteins for the kids. Because of its neutral taste, it can be used as a savoury as well as a sweet snack. Flax seeds improve brain function and boost the development of eyes and brain tissue in kids. And the benefits of honey are numerous. Together, this snack is an excellent combination of healthy goodness for the kids.

2. Pizza

Pizza and healthy? Yes, that’s indeed possible! Make the bread at home using multi-grain aata or pick up a packet of whole-wheat pizza dough at a grocery store near you!

And to make a lip-smacking version of the toppings follow the below recipe:

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and if you want to make it healthier add a spoonful or two of flavoured yoghurt to it.
  2. Preheat the oven and place the pizza with the mixed toppings in it.
  3. Bake it till golden brown and serve hot.

How Is This Snack Healthy?

As soon as you mention Pizza, the image it paints is that of a high-fat frozen food delight that has no good whatsoever. But with a whole wheat pizza dough, the pizza base is low in calories and fat. Your child will gain fibre, essential nutrients and complex carbohydrates. Additionally, a pizza is a great way to get the kids to eat veggies.

Healthy snacks help manage kids’ hunger and boost nutrition. Snacks can keep them from getting so hungry that they get cranky. Snacks may help prevent overeating at meals. And for picky eaters of all ages, snacks are a chance to add more nutrients to their diets.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

3. Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

A favourite any time snack, this one is loaded with almonds, uses coconut oil instead of butter and honey instead of sugar. Therefore, it surely can’t get healthier than this!

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Mix all the ingredients mentioned above in a bowl except the sliced pieces of almonds.
  2. Preheat the oven to 150 Degree Celsius.
  3. Keep ready a tray with baking paper.
  4. Wet your palms a little. Take a spoonful of mixture in your hand and make medium-sized balls. Place a sliced piece of almond on top and keep adding the ready ball to the tray.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes till they start to get lightly brown on all sides.
  6. Along with the kids, you too can munch on a few without feeling guilty!

How Is This Snack Healthy?

For those who struggle to get their kids to eat dry fruits, this chocolate chip cookie recipe with almonds instead of flour is heaven-sent. And almonds contain healthy fats, proteins, magnesium, fibre and vitamin E.

4. Popcorn Salad

Don’t fret at the thought of the kid asking you for popcorn! Give it to them but of course, the nutritious way.

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Mix all the veggies in a large bowl.
  2. Once they are thoroughly mixed, add the fresh air-popped popcorns.
  3. Sprinkle a little salt, black pepper, and some lemon juice. (Don’t put a lot of lemon juice, else the popcorns will get soggy)
  4. Prep it up with finely chopped coriander
  5. Serve immediately

Also Read: Is Granola Good For You: Unraveling the Truth Based on Nutrition Science

Conclusion

Getting children to eat healthy foods is a tough task, but these healthy snack ideas and with a little innovation can be a success!

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation

What Is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)?

Hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder is commonly known as ADD and is a neurological condition, often characterized by attention-related, impulse control or hyperactivity.Attention means notice taken of someone or something or regarding someone or something as interesting or important or the action of dealing with or taking special care of someone or something. Difficulty in paying attention or maintaining focus is roughly called Attention Deficit Disorder. People who have ADD generally lose focus or can sustain focus for a lesser span than an average person or are impulsive or hasty.

People with Attention Deficit Disorder: Are they different?

People with ADD generally are disorganized and inattentive, which may be perceived as a lack of understanding instructions or stubbornness.   Hyperactivity is also a characteristic in which the person may inappropriately and continuously move around and demonstrate inappropriate restlessness viz., keeps tapping feet, rocking back and forth.   They also make reckless decisions without evaluating the situation and its impact. They may impatiently want to be rewarded. Some may be overly pushy or meddling such that they keep offending people around.

Attention Deficit Disorder Symptoms  

The symptoms of ADD can begin around three years of age or even up to 6 years. The signs may remain as the child grows into an adolescent and adult. Children with ADD may have difficulties in coping up with studies, understanding tasks given and even have a problem in performing an organized step by step activity. Similarly, adults with ADD may be disorganized, poor performers at academics and work and may face difficulties to maintain a social life.

Signs  to look out for in Children with Attention Deficit Disorder

The significance of Diagnosis in ADD

Early diagnosis is critical for Attention Deficit Disorder. There is a risk of ignoring ADD as habitual inattentiveness in children or hyperactivity. However, these need attention when they are severe or start affecting the child more frequently and impact his or her performance significantly.A correct diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder requires a complete evaluation by experts. Though there is no cure for ADD, it is a manageable condition. There are certain medicines that help to reduce specific symptoms. Apart from medication, there are several therapies that will help improve the various problems the patient with ADD faces. Such treatments aim to help the person control his behaviour and become more mindful of his activities and speech. Therapies also help the person grow more organized and exert better self-control.In the case of children, parents are educated and trained on the various ways in which they can help their child reduce   inappropriate behaviours. They are also advised on multiple tools which may help the child to cope up with studies and other activities. Parents are encouraged to inculcate small changes in daily life such as waiting for turns while playing, sharing things such as toys, books, etc., talking only when necessary. Channelizing the child’s energy in a constructive task is also an important way of reducing hyperactivity positively. Calmly convincing the child about the consequences of their particular activities regularly may also help the child in reducing hasty actions.In adults too, family members play an important role in helping the patient manage his or her condition. Practising meditation and a particular hobby or sport also helps a great deal in managing one’s behaviour.

Conclusion

Regular counselling sessions and behavioural re-assessments further help the patients in dealing with their condition by discussing and applying the changes required in daily life. They can even maintain a diary in which they note down the daily happenings and how they reacted to a particular situation. These can be periodically re-evaluated by themselves or counsellors and doctors to make changes if required in the management of ADD.It is crucial for parents and family members to treat ADD patients with love, care and respect. More importantly one needs to be very patient when dealing with people suffering from ADD.Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.