It is hard to keep up with what your teen is doing and how they are feeling. This makes it essential to be able to spot diabetic symptoms in teenagers easily. For the most part, the kind of diabetes teenagers get is type-1. However, increasingly children and teens are developing type-2 diabetes. Diabetic symptoms in teenagers are similar, but have a few deviations. Please read the following:
Type-1 Diabetic Symptoms in Teenagers
Frequent Urination – You may notice your child using the bathroom more frequently than usual. This is because their body is trying to get rid of the excess blood sugar by passing it out through the urine.
Excess Thirst – A teenager who has diabetes will drink a lot of water and become dehydrated easily. This also happens because the body trying to flush out the excess sugar.
Excess Hunger – Sometimes it seems like teenagers eat all of the time anyway. So, you may want to watch for them being hungry not long after they ate a full meal.
Excess Weight Loss – Despite eating more, you may notice that you child is losing weight. This is one of the most telling diabetic symptoms in teenagers. It occurs because the body begins to use fat and muscle for fuel when it can no longer turn sugar into energy.
Irritability or Unusual Behavior – Many of us see irritability or unusual behavior as a normal sign of adolescents, but this is not always the case. If your child seems suddenly moody or irritable, and has any of the other symptoms of diabetes it would be wise to get them checked out.
Yeast Infections – Girls with type-1 diabetes tend to have genital yeast infections because the sugar in their system helps the yeast to thrive.
Type-2 Diabetic Symptoms in Teenagers
Diabetic symptoms in teenagers with type-2 diabetes essentially the same as those listed above. One difference is that type-1 diabetes develops over a very short period of time, while type-2 usually develops over a longer period. A teenager with type-2 diabetes is also more prone to frequent infections. You may notice that they heal slower than they used to. Type-2 diabetic teens tend to be overweight.
Diabetic symptoms in teenagers should not be ignored, especially if there is a family history of diabetes. If you notice any symptoms whatsoever, make an appointment to get it checked out. Early intervention is of major importance when it comes to diabetes.
