Identifying and Preventing Childhood Diabetes

How your pediatricians in Sacramento, CA, can help with childhood diabetes

When you are a parent, it’s only natural to worry about your child’s health. If diabetes runs in your family, or you have diabetes yourself, you may be wondering if your child has diabetes. Your pediatrician can help you find out.

The pediatricians at Timberlake Pediatrics in Sacramento, CA, provide a wide range of children’s medical services, including diagnosis and treatment of childhood diabetes.

There are a few signs and symptoms of diabetes in children for you to watch out for. Your child might have childhood diabetes if your child:

• Has frequent feelings of hunger or thirst
• Is urinating more frequently
• Has injuries that are slow to heal
• Feels fatigued throughout the day
• Has blurred vision or other vision issues

If you notice any of the signs or symptoms listed above, it’s time for your child to have an evaluation for childhood diabetes. To check if your child has diabetes, a blood test is performed.

Your child should avoid eating after midnight the night before the test, so the blood is drawn when your child is fasting. Blood sugar levels are measured with this test. Another test that measures average blood sugar levels over a few months may also be performed.

Diabetes has two different types:

Type 1 diabetes, is caused by the pancreas not producing enough insulin to control blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes has a hereditary component and cannot be prevented.

Type 2 diabetes, develops from external factors like being overweight, age, diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and other factors.

Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to help prevent type 2 diabetes from developing in your child. Remember to:

• Make sure your child eats a healthy diet of vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and low-fat dairy
• Help your child maintain a healthy weight by making sure your child is limiting snacking on high-calorie foods and limiting fast foods.
• Make sure your child stays active to keep fit and healthy. Regular exercise is one of the keys to weight management.

To learn more about the identification, prevention, and treatment of childhood diabetes, talk with the experts. Call the pediatricians at Timberlake Pediatrics in Sacramento, CA. You can reach them in the office by calling (916) 688-5040, so call today.