8 Red-flag Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes In Children
What is type 1 diabetes? iStock/Jovanmandic Type 1 diabetes (T1D), previously called juvenile diabetes, develops when the pancreas no longer produces insulin—a necessary hormone to allow the blood sugar (glucose) to pass into cells so that the cells can use it as energy. According to JDRF (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), approximately 40,000 new cases of type 1 diabetes occur each year. Type 1 diabetes accounts for five to 10 percent of all diabetes cases in the United States. While T1D can happen at any age, JDRF states it’s most commonly diagnosed somewhere between infancy and late 30s, with the peak age of diagnosis in the US around age 14. What’s it like to receive a type 1 diabetes diagnosis? iStock/Cathy Yeulet If you have a child who’s been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in his or her childhood, you’re not alone. Chicago mother Beth Bernstein recounts her first thoughts when she learned her 14-year-old daughter had recently developed this type 1 diabetes. “You have to be strong for your children,” Bernstein said. “What do we do? What’s our next steps? I was very linear in my thinking. To see my daughter in so much discomfort and pain...it was horrible.” For Bernstein’s daughter, type 1 diabetes symptoms came without warning. “We couldn’t have prevented this,” she said. “It literally came out of the blue. At first, I felt guilty this had happened to my child, but then I learned there’s nothing we did to cause this.” Knowing the signs of type 1 diabetes in children is critical to control the illness. A child exhibiting symptoms of type 1 diabetes may demonstrate the following: Excessive thirst iStock/Kerkez As the body struggles to maintain adequate fluid levels, a child becomes very thirsty to prevent Continue reading >>
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 >>
Can Diabetes Cause Bedwetting? Is Bedwetting A Sign Of Diabetes?
Most bedwetter children do not have diabetes. However, bedwetting in adults may be related to diabetes. Also, people with diabetes are prone to bedwetting. In most cases, bedwetting in children is not a reason for concern. Wetting the bed at a younger age is normal and the condition will usually go away on its own without any treatment. Common causes for bedwetting in kids include deep sleeping, late development of bladder control, constipation and poor daytime potty habits. However, bedwetting in adults (also called enuresis) can be a sign of diabetes. There are several reasons why someone who suffers from diabetes has a higher chance of wetting the bed: High glucose levels. People diagnosed with diabetes are not able to process glucose properly. Therefore, the body tries to eliminate the sugar through urine by producing a large quantity of urine. [1] Belly fat. Diabetics are more prone to obesity and the fat accumulated in the abdominal area puts pressure on the pelvic organs, including the bladder. This leads to involuntary urination. [2] Bladder problems. Diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves. If the nerves of the bladder are affected, the bladder may become overactive or lose the ability to retain urine. Urinary infections are also a complication in people with diabetes. Glucose in the urine allows the bacteria to grow and infect the urinary tract. [3][4] Constipation. Studies show people with diabetes are more likely to experience constipation then the general population. This is due to the fact that the inadequate glycemic control in diabetes increases the frequency of constipation. Constipation is a factor that contributes to bedwetting (the stool in the intestine puts pressure on the bladder). [5] [6] Drugs. Some diabetes medication can increase the amou Continue reading >>
Bed-wetting
What is bed-wetting? Bed-wetting is involuntary urination while asleep. Also known as nighttime incontinence or nocturnal enuresis, it is often just a normal part of a child’s development. Most children are fully toilet trained by age four, but there’s no timeline for developing complete bladder control. By age five, bed-wetting remains a problem for only about 15 percent of children. At this age, your child may still be developing nighttime bladder control. Generally, bed-wetting before age six or seven isn’t cause for concern. Between the ages of eight and 11, fewer than five percent of children are still wetting the bed. If bed-wetting continues, treat the problem with patience and understanding. Bladder training, moisture alarms or medication may help reduce bed-wetting. When to see a physician Most children outgrow bed-wetting on their own. In other cases, bed-wetting may be a sign of an underlying condition that needs medical attention. Consult your child’s physician or Dr. Gordon M. Castleberry if: Your child still wets the bed after age six or seven Your child starts to wet the bed after a period of being dry at night The bed-wetting is accompanied by painful urination, unusual thirst, pink urine or snoring Causes of bed-wetting Any one of a variety of factors may be the cause if your child has a problem with bed-wetting: A small bladder. Your child’s bladder may not be developed enough to hold urine produced during the night. Inability to recognize a full bladder. If the nerves that control the bladder are slow to mature, a full bladder may not wake your child, especially if your child is a deep sleeper. A hormone imbalance. During childhood, some children don’t produce enough anti-diuretic hormone to slow nighttime urine production. Stress. Stressf Continue reading >>
Diabetes Could Be Your Bedwetting Cause
If your child is newly struggling with bedwetting, diabetes may be the bedwetting cause. Here, we are offering you a list of symptoms, some possible solutions, and ideas for bedwetting treatment. Bedwetting in childrenwho have previously stayed dry at night is often an early sign of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a disease when the pancreas—an organ in the body that produces insulin and helps get sugars (glucose) into the cells so that they body has the energy it needs- does not produce insulin. What this means is, when you intake sugar through your food, the body cannot process the sugars. The body then tries to get rid of excess sugars in the body by passing it out of the body through urine. In turn, they drink a lot to make up for the dehydration caused by all that urination. Diabetes can be a bedwetting cause because of the frequency, urgency and excess of urination the body demands in effort to control it’s blood sugars. For adults, this usually means that you wake several times a night to use the bathroom, while for a child, it can mean frequent bedwetting. Other Symptoms of Diabetes Excessive weight loss. You begin to eat a lot more than normal. Enuresis (bedwetting). Frequent urination in the daytime. There may also be voluminous amounts of urine when you go. Feeling tired due to the body’s inability to create energy from the food it takes. Solutions To Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is only very rarely diagnosed in adults, but can be quite common in children. If the body produces some insulin, but not enough, diet alone can, in some cases, control the diabetes. In most cases, however, insulin is needed to help keep diabetes in check. Only your doctor is able to help you decide how to handle diabetes. What to do About the Bedwetting Stay positive: If diabetes is t Continue reading >>
Signs Of Diabetes In Toddlers, Babies & Infants
Type 1 diabetes is a serious autoimmune disease in which the pancreas stops producing insulin—which is essential to getting energy from food. It strikes suddenly—and has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. Unfortunately, signs of diabetes in toddlers, babies and infants may not always be easy to pinpoint. That’s because it’s very hard—particularly in the case of infants and babies—for youngsters to let their parents know that something isn’t right. What to look for: Symptoms of pediatric diabetes in babies and toddlers You may or may not be aware that increased thirst and frequent urination are common symptoms of type 1 diabetes in toddlers and other young children. The reason this happens is rising blood-sugar levels trigger a reaction in the body that pulls fluid from tissues. This will leave your son or daughter constantly—and understandably—thirsty, which leads to increased urination. If your toddler is potty-trained you may also notice that they revert back or have bed-wetting issues. But what else should you watch out for? Below are some other potential signs of pediatric diabetes: Fatigue: This could be a sign that your child’s body isn’t able to turn the sugar in the bloodstream into energy. Intense hunger and unexplained weight loss: If your kid’s muscles and organs aren’t receiving enough energy, it can trigger extreme hunger. And sudden weight loss—especially if he or she is eating more—could also be a major warning sign. Changes in vision: High blood-glucose levels could lead to blurred vision or other eyesight issues. Unfortunately at a very young age, your son or daughter may not yet be able to articulate this. Yeast infection: This type of infection can be one of the signs of diabetes in babies—but it may present itself a Continue reading >>
What I Need To Know About My Child’s Bedwetting
Why does my child wet the bed? Many children wet the bed until they are 5 years old, or even older. In most cases, the cause is physical and not the child’s fault. The child’s bladder might be too small. Or the amount of urine produced overnight is too much for the bladder to hold. As a result, the bladder fills up before the night is over. Some children sleep too deeply or take longer to learn bladder control. Children don’t wet the bed on purpose. Bedwetting is a medical problem, not a behavior problem. Scolding and punishment will not help a child stay dry. Bedwetting may run in the family. If both parents wet the bed as children, their child is likely to have the same problem. If only one parent has a history of bedwetting, the child has about a fifty-fifty chance of having the problem. Some children wet the bed even if neither parent ever did. Bedwetting may be caused by an infection or a nerve disease. Children with nerve disease often also have daytime wetting. A child who has been dry for several months or even years may return to wetting the bed. The cause might be emotional stress, such as loss of a loved one, problems at school, a new sibling, or even training too early. The answer is rarely easy. Try skipping drinks before bedtime. Avoid drinks with caffeine, like colas or tea. These drinks speed up urine production. Give your child one drink with dinner. Explain that it will be the last drink before going to bed. Make sure your child uses the bathroom just before bed. Many children will still wet the bed, but these steps are a place to start. Your child may feel bad about wetting the bed. Let your child know he isn’t to blame. Let her help take off the wet sheets and put them in the washer, but don’t make this a punishment. Be supportive. Praise y Continue reading >>
Bed Wetting: A Common Sign And Symptom Of Type 1 Diabetes
One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a parent of a child with type 1 diabetes is, "How did you know?" The honest answer is "I didn't". I mean, I didn't know exactly what was wrong with her, but I knew definitively that something was wrong. We may not always be completely in tune with our children, but as parents, we know when something isn't right. I had that feeling with Harper, and when it kept getting stronger rather than waning, I knew it was time to do something about it. Type 1 diabetes often goes misdiagnosed due to the symptoms being similar to those of the flu. Many pediatricians dismiss it as the flu and send patients home to wait out the symptoms. When type 1 diabetes goes undiagnosed, the condition worsens quickly and can be fatal. In Harper's case, there were obvious physical changes and some less apparent emotional ones too. But the signs were all there, and we made particular note of each and everyone of them so that when we arrived at our pediatrician's office, we were able to articulate them clearly. The most obvious symptom we noticed was bed wetting. Harper was 8 years old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and she had long been potty trained. You can imagine how concerning it was to discover that she started wetting the bed after 5 years. At first we brushed off the bed wetting thinking that maybe she had too much to drink the night prior. Then we eliminated drinks after 7 pm on most nights. But still, she continued to wet the bed even after we took drastic measures. The bed wetting was taking an emotional toll on Harper. She was feeling embarrassed and fearful of ruining her bed. I headed to my Walmart Neighborhood Market® to grab a box of GoodNites®, bedtime pants. Not only did GoodNites® keep the bed dry, but they also Continue reading >>
Secondary Nocturnal Enuresis
Some children have always wet the bed at night, while others have not. In medical terms, bedwetting is called “enuresis.” Nocturnal (nighttime) enuresis is bedwetting that happens at night, whereas wetting during the daytime is called diurnal (daytime) enuresis. There are two kinds of enuresis: primary and secondary. Someone with primary enuresis has wet the bed since he or she was a baby. Secondary enuresis is a condition that develops at least six months — or even several years — after a person has learned to control his or her bladder. Secondary nocturnal enuresis (SNE) accounts for about one quarter of children with bedwetting. By age ten years, up to 8% of children will develop SNE. The number of children with SNE, as a percent of all cases of nocturnal enuresis, increases with age. A family history of bedwetting is found in about 50% of children with SNE. The emotional impact of SNE on a child and family can be significant. Numerous studies report feelings of embarrassment and anxiety, loss of self-esteem, and adverse effects on self-perception, interpersonal relationships, quality of life, and school performance. What causes SNE? Doctors don't always know the exact cause of secondary nocturnal bedwetting. Some likely causes and contributing factors include: Sleep problems. The sensation of a full bladder causes most children to wake up in time to pee. But some children sleep so soundly they do not wake up to pee. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although uncommon, obstructive sleep apnea can also cause secondary nocturnal bedwetting. Large adenoids are the most common reason for sleep apnea that leads to SNE. Bladder problems. Some children have small bladders that can't hold a large volume of urine. Others may make too much urine at night. In some children Continue reading >>
Bedwetting
Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, refers to the unintentional passage of urine during sleep. Enuresis is the medical term for wetting, whether in the clothing during the day or in bed at night. Another name for enuresis is urinary incontinence. For infants and young children, urination is involuntary. Wetting is normal for them. Most children achieve some degree of bladder control by 4 years of age. Daytime control is usually achieved first, while nighttime control comes later. The age at which bladder control is expected varies considerably. Some parents expect dryness at a very early age, while others not until much later. Such a time line may reflect the culture and attitudes of the parents and caregivers. Factors that affect the age at which wetting is considered a problem include the following: The child's gender: Bedwetting is more common in boys. The child's development and maturity The child's overall physical and emotional health. Chronic illness and/or emotional and physical abuse may predispose to bedwetting. Bedwetting is a very common problem. Parents must realize that enuresis is involuntary. The child who wets the bed needs parental support and reassurance. Bedwetting is a treatable condition. While children with this embarrassing problem and their parents once had few choices except waiting to "grow out of it," there are now treatments that work for many children. Several devices, treatments, and techniques have been developed to help these children stay dry at night. What Causes Bedwetting? While bedwetting can be a symptom of an underlying disease, the large majority of children who wet the bed have no underlying illness. In fact, a true organic cause is identified in only a small percentage of children who wet the bed. However, this does not mean tha Continue reading >>
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus In Children
What is type 1 diabetes in children? Diabetes is a condition in which the body can't make enough insulin, or can't use insulin normally. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder. The body's immune system damages the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Insulin is a hormone. It helps sugar (glucose) in the blood get into cells of the body to be used as fuel. When glucose can’t enter the cells, it builds up in the blood. This is called high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). High blood sugar can cause problems all over the body. It can damage blood vessels and nerves. It can harm the eyes, kidneys, and heart. It can also cause symptoms such as tiredness. Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a long-term (chronic) condition. It may start at any age. Only 5% of people with diabetes have type 1. Insulin from the pancreas must be replaced with insulin injections or an insulin pump. There are two forms of type 1 diabetes: Immune-mediated diabetes. This is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system damages the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. This is the most common kind of type 1 diabetes. Idiopathic type 1. This refers to rare forms of the disease with no known cause. What causes type 1 diabetes in a child? The cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. Researchers think some people inherit a gene than can cause type 1 diabetes if a trigger such as a virus occurs. Which children are at risk for type 1 diabetes? A child is more at risk for type 1 diabetes if he or she has any of these risk factors: A family member with the condition Caucasian race Being from Finland or Sardinia Is age 4 to 6, or 10 to 14 What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes in a child? Type 1 diabetes often appears suddenly. In children, type 1 diabetes symptoms may be like flu symptoms. Symptoms ca Continue reading >>
Ask The Diabetes Team
Question: From Henderson, Nevada, USA: Our six and a half-year-old son has had diabetes for two and a half years. The problem we are having is chronic bed-wetting, sometimes twice a night. When he was first diagnosed, we thought it was related to high sugar levels since that increases thirst and bathroom visits, however, lately, we have had his blood sugar within normal ranges, 90 mg/dl [5.0 mmol/L] to 210 mmol/L [11.7 mmol/L] at bedtime and breakfast readings. Do children with diabetes usually have bed-wetting issues? Is there something we can do to help it? I heard there was medication for children with bed-wetting problems. Is this true? We are frustrated and it's beginning to affect our son's self esteem. Answer: Bed-wetting can be a troublesome issue for parents. The age at which a child (any child -- even children with diabetes) stays dry at night is widely variable. Some children struggle with this even into their teen years. There is good evidence that all of the ways parents have tried in the past to fix this problem really have very little effect. It doesn't help to limit fluids in the evenings, punish a child, make them do their own laundry, etc. Medications are of little help in permanently fixing the problem. They can, however, help a child achieve a dry night on a temporary basis for events such as camps and sleep-overs. The medications are not perfect -- and have a high failure rate. There are also retraining methods available called bed-wetting alarms which can also help to fix the problem, but they have a similarly high failure rate. Your pediatrician can best direct you to appropriate bed-wetting alarm resources. The best option, typically, is to understand that this problem will be fixed when a child outgrows the condition. For parents that are lookin Continue reading >>
Type 1 Diabetes And Bedwetting In Children
“Mooooommmmm my bed is wet!” Sound vaguely familiar from the fog in your head at 1am? Taking a deep breath you jump out of bed, all the lights go on and the cleanup begins. (You may be thinking) “Do they make beds that are 100% water repellant?” “I just washed all those sheets, pajamas, and comforter LAST night” “Why is this happening every night?” Or with a pathetic moan of self pity… “I have to get up for work in a few hours” We have all been in this situation multiple times as our child advances from pull-ups to underwear at bedtime. With Type 1 diabetes and bedwetting in children, it can take much longer to master potty training which is no surprise to these families. At diagnosis most families report increased bedwetting, accidents at school, pull-up and diaper explosions, etc. We all know increased urination is a sign of diabetes (at least you do now, after diagnosis). If your child wasn’t potty trained prior to diagnosis you may have a more difficult time with potty training after diagnosis. Of course, the goal in managing Type 1 diabetes is maintaining blood sugars within normal range. However, we all know there are always fluctuations and surprises. Can you say, “Where’s my water cup?” Yes, thirst and blood sugars are highly correlated, as one goes up so does the other. Putting your child to bed after having high sugars during the day is like putting a giant water balloon to sleep (literally). Putting your child to bed as blood sugars are creeping up due to multiple factors (insufficient insulin, unknown insulin pump error, illness, etc.) will also increase the likelihood of an accident- even in grown children who are potty trained. (As your child ages, you may begin to think): “How can we make this better, will we ever be able t Continue reading >>
Tell Us Who You Are
Diabetes CAREFUL MONITORING IS THE KEY TO DIABETES MANAGEMENT Rare cases of secondary nocturnal enuresis (occurs when the child has been consistently dry at night for more than six months and then starts wetting the bed again) can be a symptom of type 1 or juvenile diabetes. WHAT IS TYPE 1 DIABETES? Type 1 diabetes, also referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a condition in which the pancreas cannot produce enough of the hormone insulin. One of insulin’s key roles in the body is to direct glucose in the bloodstream to the cells, where it is then used for energy. Without insulin, the body is unable to metabolise glucose. This means that it can’t process sugar properly or use it as energy to perform its usual functions. Insufficient insulin results in a high amount of glucose in the blood. WHAT CAUSES DIABETES? Type 1 diabetes is caused when the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The exact reason why this happens is still unknown. If you notice a combination of the following symptoms in your child, they may have developed type 1 diabetes. If you suspect that this is the case, they will need to see a doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis. Frequent urination Night time incontinence or bedwetting High levels of thirst Weight loss Lack of energy Blurred vision MANAGEMENT OF TYPE 1 DIABETES Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes can initially be quite upsetting for families. However, if the condition is managed properly, your child can still live a relatively normal life and avoid the major health complications associated with it. DIET It’s important for diabetes sufferers to maintain a healthy diet and to eat at regular intervals. Foods known to cause a spike in blood sugar levels should be avoided. These include: White f Continue reading >>
Bedwetting (sleep Enuresis) In Adults: Causes, Diagnosis, & Treatment
Bedwetting (also known as sleep enuresis and urinary incontinence) is a fairly common condition in young children and is seen as a sign of an immature, developing bladder. It is estimated that 15% of children over three, and 10% over five wet the bed occasionally. In fact, most doctors don't consider bedwetting in children to be a sign of a problem unless the child is older than seven years old, or the child has begun wetting the bed again after six months of maintaining overnight bladder control. However, when adults wet the bed it is often an indication of an underlying illness, disease, or a symptom of other untreated medical conditions. For adults, wetting the bed can not only be a devastatingly embarrassing condition, but it is often a sign of other medical troubles. If you're an adult who frequently wets the bed, it's a good idea to discuss your symptoms with your primary care provider to find the root cause of your problem. Here is a list of common causes of sleep enuresis. Causes of adult bedwetting Genetics. One of the first places to look for causes of urinary incontinence is whether there is a family history of bedwetting. Urinary tract infection (UTI) Small bladder Diabetes Kidney disease Enlarged prostate gland Prostate cancer Bladder cancer Side effects of medications Neurological disorders Stress, anxiety, fear, and other psychological issues An imbalance of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) Determining the cause of bedwetting Discovering the cause of bedwetting can be tricky as it is often an underlying cause of another medical condition. When seeking treatment for your nocturnal enuresis you can expect one or more of the following routine tests A physical examination A neurological examination Urine tests Urologic examination Ultrasound of kidneys and blad Continue reading >>
