There are several symptoms of childhood diabetes to watch for. If these are concerns a physicians assistance should be sought out immediately.

We should begin our conversation knowing a little about diabetes in general. To start, there is more than one type of diabetes to be concerned with. Two of them are as follows.

Type 1 diabetes, previously termed juvenile diabetes, is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. In Type 1 diabetes the body does not produce enough insulin, which is a hormone that is needed to convert sugars and starches and other foods into energy. This type of diabetes affects approximately 5-10% of the diabetic community. Insulin therapy is used in treating this disease.

Type 2 diabetes is the more common form of diabetes effecting millions of Americans. This diabetes type is more prevalent in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians as well as the older community.

Type 2 diabetes suffers bodies either do not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin it does produce. In this case the insulin taken is used to utilize the glucose from food to avoid a build up of glucose in the system. This build up of glucose causes serious complications.

The symptoms of childhood diabetes, also known as Type 1 or juvenile diabetes are possibly frequent urination, be unusually thirsty, extremely hungry, have unusual weight loss and show extreme fatigue and irritability.

If you have a child experiencing any of these symptoms the pediatrician that you trust should be contacted immediately to address the issues. The pediatrician may suggest that a blood test be taken to determine if the child has juvenile diabetes. This usually consists of a fasting before the blood test.

Pay close attention to changes in your child, especially if your family has a history of diabetes. This could be an indicator that the child is at risk for diabetes and catching it early is the best way to help the child have a productive, healthy life with the help of insulin. This will be something they may have to learn and the earlier you start the better in many ways. The longer the condition goes untreated the more complications will arise making the treatment more difficult.