Could Your Child Have Diabetes?
More than 15,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 every year. Make sure you know the telltale signs -- they're all too easy to dismiss. When Chloe Powell started begging for one more drink of water every night, her father, Charles, thought his then 7-year-old was using a common bedtime stall tactic. "I was irritated that she wouldn't go to sleep," admits Dr. Powell, who's a family physician in Dallas. With all she was drinking, he wasn't surprised when she began wetting the bed. But when Chloe couldn't make it through a conversation without having to use the bathroom, he became concerned. "I figured she had a urinary-tract infection, and she'd take some antibiotics and feel better," says Dr. Powell. He wasn't at all prepared for what his daughter's urine test showed: a dangerously high level of sugar that was a clear indicator of type 1 diabetes. In an instant, Chloe, now 10, went from being a kid who never thought twice about the foods she ate or the energy she burned to one who'd face a lifetime of carbohydrate counting, finger pricks, and insulin injections. A Disease on the Rise Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body's immune system to mistakenly destroy healthy cells in the pancreas that produce the hormone insulin. (Type 2, on the other hand, occurs when the body doesn't respond to the insulin that's being made.) Insulin ensures that sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream gets into the body's cells where it's needed for energy; without insulin, sugar builds up in the blood, which can be deadly. It's important to begin insulin therapy as soon as possible because high blood-sugar levels can cause permanent vision and nerve problems as well as damage to blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Since the 198 Continue reading >>
How To Improve Your Child's Behavior With Blood Sugar Control
Are you struggling with behavioral issues in your child? Have you ever wondered if blood sugar control is affecting them? So often I see a parent come in with a child who needs behavior modification – and the schools of course want something to be done about it. I get it! Schools are over populated, with not nearly enough teachers to students. Their job has become a large mix of behavior management and teaching. What I don’t get, is the lack of awareness of how much this behavior modification can be influenced by dietary choices. When I talk with parents, they describe to me how different their child acts when they consume sugar-laden foods such as cake, cookies, candy, ice cream or cupcakes. But what about when your child is eating low levels of sugar in the diet constantly? A diet filled with bagels, sandwiches, hot pockets, chicken nuggets, packaged foods, white potatoes, processed condiments such as ketchup and not to mention sugary drinks like soda and fruit juice, all have your child constantly wound up at a level right below the extreme hyperactivity you may witness after a piece of cake. Sometimes it isn’t as drastic of a change in their behavior to see them “off the wall” after consumption of these foods. However you may notice that your child doesn’t always listen even after multiple tries, or is quick to get frustrated or angry, lacks the ability to sit still like other children, or just struggles with remembering tasks. Rather than just being offered medication solutions or behavioral training alone, kids (and more importantly) their parents should also be given the knowledge and know how of what to do with a child’s diet. After all – you are what you eat. So, if you child mostly consumes processed carbohydrates in the form of breads, pastas, Continue reading >>
Diabetes In Children: Treating Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, occurs when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood of a person with diabetes drops below what the body needs to function normally. Taking too much insulin, not eating enough food or skipping meals, or exercising more than usual can cause blood sugar levels to drop rapidly. If your child's blood sugar level drops very low and he or she does not get help, your child could have a seizure or go into a coma and possibly die. These four simple steps might save your child's life: Test your child's blood sugar as suggested by his or her doctor so that you do not have to guess when your child's blood sugar is low. Be alert to the early signs of low blood sugar: sweating, shakiness, hunger, blurred vision, and dizziness. Have your child keep some hard candy, raisins, or other foods that contain sugar with him or her at all times. Your child should eat some at the first sign of low blood sugar. Teach all of your child's caregivers what to do if your child's blood sugar is very low. How do you deal with low blood sugar? Low blood sugar levels can develop rapidly, within minutes. Treat low blood sugar symptoms as soon as you notice them. Here are some ways to manage a low blood sugar emergency. Be prepared Keep some quick-sugar food with your child at all times. These foods include glucose tablets, fruit juice, and raisins. Know the symptoms of low blood sugar. Post these symptoms where the list can be seen often, and have your child carry a copy at all times. Add any symptoms that your child has that aren't on the list. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sweating, blurred vision, and confusion. Have your child wear medical identification, such as a medical alert bracelet or a medical alert temporary tattoo, in case your child's blood suga Continue reading >>
Diabetes In Children: Treating Low Blood Sugar
Introduction Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, occurs when the sugar (glucose) level in the blood of a person with diabetes drops below what the body needs to function normally. Taking too much insulin, not eating enough food or skipping meals, or exercising more than usual can cause blood sugar levels to drop rapidly. If your child's blood sugar level drops very low and he or she does not get help, your child could have a seizure or go into a coma and possibly die. These four simple steps might save your child's life: Test your child's blood sugar as suggested by his or her doctor so that you do not have to guess when your child's blood sugar is low. Be alert to the early signs of low blood sugar: sweating, shakiness, hunger, blurred vision, and dizziness. Have your child keep some glucose or sucrose tablets or solution or other foods that contain sugar with him or her at all times. Your child should take some at the first sign of low blood sugar. Teach all of your child's caregivers what to do if your child's blood sugar is very low. How do you deal with low blood sugar? Low blood sugar levels can develop rapidly, within minutes. Treat low blood sugar symptoms as soon as you notice them. Here are some ways to manage a low blood sugar emergency. Be prepared Keep some glucose or sucrose tablets or solution or quick-sugar food with your child at all times. Know the symptoms of low blood sugar. Post these symptoms where the list can be seen often, and have your child carry a copy at all times. Add any symptoms that your child has that aren't on the list. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sweating, blurred vision, and confusion. Have your child wear medical identification, such as a medical alert bracelet, in case your child's blood sugar drops very low and he o Continue reading >>
Diabetes In Children: Preventing Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar means that the level of sugar (glucose) in your child's blood has dropped below what his or her body needs to function normally. When your child's blood sugar level drops below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), he or she most likely will have symptoms, such as feeling tired, weak, or shaky. Very low blood sugar levels (below 20 mg/dL) can develop quickly and are emergency situations that require immediate care. You can give your child a glucagon shot to bring his or her blood sugar back up. Follow the instructions that come with the glucagon kit. Without immediate care, a very low blood sugar level can lead to coma and death. Sometimes people with diabetes develop low blood sugar levels during the night. If your child's level drops during the night, he or she may wake up in a cold sweat and feel weak. But some children sleep through it because the body uses stored sugar to raise their blood sugar level back to their target range. If this happens, your child may wake up in the morning with only a headache and possibly high blood sugar. What causes low blood sugar? Very low blood sugar can develop rapidly (within minutes). It can occur if your child: Takes too much insulin. Skips or delays a meal or snack. Exercises too much without eating enough food. Children may have symptoms of low blood sugar if their blood sugar drops to a lower level than usual. For example, if your child's level has been in the 300s for a week and it drops suddenly to 100, he or she may have symptoms of low blood sugar. Even though 100 is in the normal range, it is much lower than your child is used to. It is also possible that after having diabetes for many years, your child may not have symptoms of low blood sugar until the level is very low. When the blood sugar level is very Continue reading >>
What Is Hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia is a dangerous condition in which your blood sugar drops perilously low. Low blood sugar will most often make you feel shaky and weak. In extreme cases, you could lose consciousness and slip into a coma. People develop hypoglycemia for different reasons, but those with diabetes run the greatest risk of developing the condition. Glucose and Hypoglycemia Your body uses glucose as its main fuel source. Glucose is derived from food, and it's delivered to cells through the bloodstream. The body uses different hormones to regulate the amount of glucose in your blood. Glucagon, cortisol, and epinephrine are some hormones that help regulate glucose. Your body uses another hormone called insulin to help your cells absorb glucose and burn it for fuel. If your blood sugar level drops below a certain point, your body can develop various symptoms and sensations. For people with diabetes, this typically happens when blood sugar drops below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), although the exact level may vary from person to person. Causes of Hypoglycemia Low blood sugar often happens in people with diabetes who are using insulin or other medicines that increase insulin production or its actions. Too much insulin can make your blood glucose drop too low. Low blood sugar can happen if: Your body's supply of glucose is used up too quickly. Glucose is released into your bloodstream too slowly. There's too much insulin in your bloodstream. Hypoglycemia Symptoms Although no two people will have the exact same symptoms of low blood sugar, there are some common signs to watch out for: Sudden, intense hunger Dizziness or light-headedness Excessive sweating (often sudden and without regard to temperature) Shaking or tremors Sudden feelings of anxiety Irritability, mood swings, and Continue reading >>
Hypoglycaemia (low Blood Sugar) In Newborns
What is hypoglycaemia? Hypoglycaemia means low blood sugar. Your baby's sugar levels are regulated by his hormones, the key hormone being insulin. Insulin helps his body to store sugar (blood glucose) and release it when he needs it. When everything is working well, your baby's hormones keep his blood sugar levels balanced. When the balance is out, hypoglycaemia can happen. If your baby's blood sugar is low and it is not treated, it could be harmful to his health. Low blood sugar that isn't picked up can even lead to a baby's brain being damaged. That's why your midwife or doctor will closely monitor your baby to make sure he stays well. Rest assured that if your baby is not premature, and is otherwise healthy, he is unlikely to have low blood sugar. What causes hypoglycaemia in newborns? Your baby's blood sugar levels go down in the first few hours after birth, which is completely normal. Your baby gets his glucose from milk. When your baby has just had a feed, his sugar levels will go up. As the next feed draws closer, his sugar levels will start to dip. Keeping the right level of sugar in the blood is a delicate balancing act. Most healthy babies can cope easily with these normal ups and downs in blood sugar level. If you feed your baby whenever he wants, he will take the milk he needs to ensure his sugar levels remain balanced. However, some babies can be at risk, including babies born to mums who have diabetes. These babies may produce too much insulin when they are born, making them prone to lower blood sugar levels. Babies are also susceptible to hypoglycaemia if they: were born prematurely or very small had breathing difficulties at birth have suffered excessive coldness, or hypothermia have an infection Low blood sugar in newborns can usually be reversed quickl Continue reading >>
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No matter what we're doing, even during sleep, our brains depend on glucose to function. Glucose is a sugar that comes from food, and it's also formed and stored inside the body. It's the main source of energy for the body's cells and is carried to them through the bloodstream. When blood glucose levels (also called blood sugar levels) drop too low, it's called hypoglycemia. Very low blood sugar levels can cause severe symptoms that need immediate medical treatment. Blood sugar levels in someone with diabetes are considered low when they fall below the target range. A blood sugar level slightly lower than the target range might not cause symptoms, but repeated low levels could require a change in the treatment plan to help avoid problems. The diabetes health care team will find a child's target blood sugar levels based on things like the child's age, ability to recognize hypoglycemia symptoms, and the goals of the diabetes treatment plan. Low blood sugar levels are fairly common in people with diabetes. A major goal of diabetes care is to keep blood sugar levels from getting or staying too high to prevent both short- and long-term health problems. To do this, people with diabetes may use insulin and/or pills, depending on the type of diabetes they have. These medicines usually help keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range, but in certain situations, might make them drop too low. Hypoglycemia can happen at any time in people taking blood sugar-lowering medicines, but is more likely if someone: skips or delays meals or snacks or doesn't eat as much carbohydrate-containing food as expected when taking the diabetes medicine. This is common in kids who develop an illness (such as a stomach virus) that causes loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting. takes too much insulin, ta Continue reading >>
Hypoglycemia Symptoms In Toddlers
Healthy blood sugar levels range from 70 to 150 mg/dL and ensure that your toddler's cells receive enough energy to perform their vital tasks. If your toddler's blood sugar level dips below 70 mg/dL, he may be diagnosed with a medical condition called hypoglycemia, according to medical professionals at Children's Hospital Boston in Massachusetts. Hypoglycemia--also called low blood sugar--can cause specific symptoms to arise in your toddler, which you should discuss with your pediatrician if they occur. Video of the Day If your toddler does not have sufficient levels of sugar within her blood, she can experience symptoms of dizziness or headache. You may notice that she appears unstable when she stands up or attempts to walk around. She may pull her hair or touch her head frequently if she has a headache. Your toddler may also complain that she doesn't feel well or that her head feels funny. If your toddler has difficulty standing or walking about normally due to symptoms of hypoglycemia, try to keep her seated low to the ground to prevent injury from tripping or falling. If your toddler's cells do not have access to an appropriate amount of sugar, they will stimulate your toddler's hunger response in an effort to bring more sugar into her body. Your toddler can appear to have a sudden increase in her appetite or may begin to complain that she is hungry--even after completing a meal. Hunger sensations can also occur in conjunction with nausea or abnormal tingling sensations around your toddler's lips or mouth. Your toddler may frequently tell you that her tummy hurts or that her mouth feels funny if she has hypoglycemia. Your toddler's skin can appear abnormally pale or unhealthy if he has hypoglycemia. Pale skin often arises if your toddler has not eaten for several ho Continue reading >>
Low Blood Sugar: Causes, Warning Signs And Treatments
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, is the most common and most dangerous condition for many people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Very low blood sugar may lead to insulin shock, which can be life threatening if not treated promptly. Low blood sugar occurs when the body has too little food/glucose or too much insulin. The following are all potential reasons that a person with diabetes might have low blood sugar: Too much insulin taken Eating less than usual Eating later than usual Insulin was injected at a site on the body where the absorption rate is faster than usual Injecting extra insulin after forgetting about a previous dose More exercise than normal Illness or injury Other hormones Medication interaction The following is a list of general symptoms that indicate low blood sugar (the person with T1D may exhibit one or more of these and symptoms may change from event to event) Dizziness Nervousness Personality change/irrational behavior Blurry vision Shakiness Nausea Crying Sluggishness Sweating Poor coordination Hunger Lightheadedness Irritability Drowsiness Erratic response to questions Inability to concentrate Severe symptoms (symptoms as listed above, plus): Convulsions or seizure Loss of consciousness A blood-glucose meter reading below the target range specified by the physician indicates low blood sugar. The following are general treatments for low blood sugar. The physician and parents (for a child) should determine what course to follow. Please note that people with T1D have symptoms of low blood sugar at various readings. Some people with T1D feel perfectly fine at readings below 70. Others begin to show low blood-sugar symptoms at readings somewhat above 70. If blood-sugar levels are slightly low and the person is alert and lucid, he or she should: Not exercis Continue reading >>
Hypoglycemia In Children
What is hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia occurs when the blood sugar is too low to fuel the brain and the body. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body. The normal range of blood sugar, depending on the timing and nutritional content of the last meal consumed, is approximately 70 to 140 mg/dl (milligrams of glucose per deciliter of blood). If you have type 1 diabetes, your goal blood sugar range may be slightly different. Infants and small children with type 1 diabetes will have different goal ranges than adolescents or adults. However, consult your child's doctor for more specific information. Hypoglycemia may be a condition by itself, or may be a complication of diabetes or another disorder. Hypoglycemia is most often seen as a complication of overdoing insulin in a person with diabetes, which is sometimes referred to as an insulin reaction. What causes hypoglycemia? Causes of hypoglycemia in children with diabetes may include the following: Too much medication; for instance, too much insulin or oral diabetes medication Medication mistakes. All families will, at some point, give the wrong kind of insulin for a meal or at bedtime. Inaccurate blood-glucose readings A missed meal A delayed meal Too little food eaten, as compared to the amount of insulin taken More exercise than usual Diarrhea or vomiting Injury, illness, infection, or emotional stress Other medical problems sometimes seen in people with type 1 diabetes, such as celiac disease or an adrenal problem. An additional cause of hypoglycemia in neonates and toddlers includes a group of conditions called hyperinsulinism. This may occur as a result of abnormal cell development of the special "beta" cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin or from a mass in the pancreas. Hypoglycemia due to endogenous insulin i Continue reading >>
Symptoms Of Low Blood Sugar
Topic Overview Symptoms of mild low blood sugar You may have these symptoms when your blood sugar has dropped below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). When you have had diabetes for many years, you may not always develop symptoms of mild low blood sugar. Some young children with diabetes cannot recognize symptoms of low blood sugar. Others can, but not every time. To be safe, the parents need to do a home blood sugar test whenever they suspect low blood sugar in a child. Symptoms may include: Sweating (almost always present). Check for sweating on the back of your neck at your hairline. Nervousness, shakiness, and weakness. Extreme hunger and slight nausea. Dizziness and headache. Blurred vision. A fast heartbeat and feeling anxious. These symptoms may go away shortly after you eat food that contains sugar. Symptoms of moderate low blood sugar If your blood sugar continues to drop (below 40 mg/dL), your behavior may change. Symptoms may include: Inability to concentrate. Confusion and irritability. Slurred speech. Unsteadiness when standing or walking. Muscle twitching. Personality changes, such as anger or crying. Symptoms of severe low blood sugar Symptoms of severe low blood sugar (usually below 20 mg/dL) include: Seizure. Loss of consciousness (coma). Stroke. Death. Signs of low blood sugar at night If your blood sugar drops while you are sleeping, your partner or other family members may notice that you are sweating and behaving differently. Signs of low blood sugar at night (nocturnal hypoglycemia) include: Restlessness. Making unusual noises. Attempting to get out of bed or accidentally rolling out of bed. Sleepwalking. Nightmares. Sweating. You may wake up with a headache in the morning if your blood sugar was low during the night. Signs of hypoglycemic unawar Continue reading >>
Hypoglycemia (low Blood Sugar)
A blood sugar level lower than about 3.3 mmol/L (60 mg/dL) is called hypoglycemia. The feelings associated with hypoglycemia are called an “insulin reaction.” The earliest symptoms of low blood sugar can be like the feelings many people experience when they’ve gone without food for a long time: they may feel hungry, tired and irritable, and may even have a headache. These early warning signs tell us that the body needs sugar quickly. As the blood sugar continues to drop, other signs and symptoms may develop—shakiness, pale skin, cold sweat, dilated pupils, and pounding heart. These happen because the body is trying to boost the blood sugar from within. Certain hormones, including glucagons, adrenaline, cortisol, and growth hormone, stimulate our liver and muscles to convert stored sugar into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. In someone without diabetes, the body turns off the insulin supply whenever blood sugar is at a normal level. But in people with diabetes, the injected insulin continues to work. As fast as the glucose enters the bloodstream, the insulin pushes it into the cells, so the level of sugar in the blood remains low until the person takes extra sugar by mouth. Most people with type 1 diabetes have low blood sugar reactions from time to time – an average of about two mild ones per week. Indeed, mild reactions that are easily recognized and treated, without too much interruption in activities, should be expected. They can be seen as the price paid for good glucose control. Note that some people have symptoms of hypoglycemia even when their blood sugar level is higher than 3.3 mmol/L (60 mg/dL). Common signs and symptoms of a mild insulin reaction shakiness: “butterflies,” feeling nervous for no reason cold, clammy sweatiness, unlike sweat Continue reading >>
Can You Have Hypoglycemia Without Having Diabetes?
Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when the sugar levels in your blood are too low. Many people think of hypoglycemia as something that only occurs in people with diabetes. However, it can also occur in people who don’t have diabetes. Hypoglycemia is different from hyperglycemia, which occurs when you have too much sugar in your bloodstream. Hypoglycemia can happen in people with diabetes if the body produces too much insulin. Insulin is a hormone that breaks down sugar so that you can use it for energy. You can also get hypoglycemia if you have diabetes and you take too much insulin. If you don’t have diabetes, hypoglycemia can happen if your body can’t stabilize your blood sugar levels. It can also happen after meals if your body produces too much insulin. Hypoglycemia in people who don’t have diabetes is less common than hypoglycemia that occurs in people who have diabetes or related conditions. Here's what you need to know about hypoglycemia that occurs without diabetes. Everyone reacts differently to fluctuations in their blood glucose levels. Some symptoms of hypoglycemia may include: You may have hypoglycemia without having any symptoms. This is known as hypoglycemia unawareness. Hypoglycemia is either reactive or non-reactive. Each type has different causes: Reactive hypoglycemia Reactive hypoglycemia occurs within a few hours after a meal. An overproduction of insulin causes reactive hypoglycemia. Having reactive hypoglycemia may mean that you’re at risk for developing diabetes. Non-reactive hypoglycemia Non-reactive hypoglycemia isn't necessarily related to meals and may be due to an underlying disease. Causes of non-reactive, or fasting, hypoglycemia can include: some medications, like those used in adults and children with kidney failure any d Continue reading >>
Can Low Blood Sugar Cause Bad Behavior In Children?
Bad behavior in children has a variety of causes, although dietary factors may play a larger role than traditionally thought. In addition to food allergies and negative reactions to food additives, blood sugar levels can have a dramatic impact on mood and behavior. Low blood sugar can be caused by not eating enough food or eating too much sugar at a time, which triggers inappropriate insulin secretion from the pancreas gland. Consult with your doctor about how dietary factors can affect children’s behavior. Video of the Day Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, is a relatively common condition in children that’s usually triggered by skipping meals, although binging on sugary, high-carbohydrate foods can eventually have the same result, according to the book “Human Metabolism.” The tissues of the body, especially the brain, need glucose to function properly. Skipping meals causes blood glucose levels to fall because there is no food to digest and absorb. On the other hand, binging on sugary treats or readily metabolized carbohydrates, such as pasta and white bread, trigger an abnormally large insulin release from the pancreas, which quickly shuttles virtually all of the glucose into the cells. The result is a “sugar crash,” which is a sudden burst of energy followed by various symptoms due to hypoglycemia. The Brain and Glucose Glucose is a simple sugar that all digestible carbohydrates get metabolized into. It is absorbed into the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body. Cells use glucose to build energy molecules called ATP, which can be used immediately or stored for future use. Some cells can use alternative forms of energy, but the brain relies almost exclusively on glucose for fuel. Consequently, the brain is very sensitive to fluctuations in blood g Continue reading >>
