Are you a parent? If so, you may not be aware that your child might be having issues due to blood sugar fluctuations. Many people assume that diabetes is a condition that only affects adults. However, Juvenile Diabetes is a real condition, and it can present itself in several different ways. Some parents are not aware of the signs and they attribute certain behaviors and illnesses to other issues. Blood sugar fluctuations can cause a number of problems. Sometimes blood sugar can fluctuate, but it may not be diabetes-related. For example, a child might get sick with an illness such as the stomach flu, and it could result in them temporarily having low blood sugar. The following points will help you to understand more about hypoglycemia and how it could affect your child.
Signs
Hypoglycemia may present itself in a manner that can result in it being confused with other conditions. Poor coordination, irritability, hunger, and nausea are examples of how you might witness your child responding. It is important to be aware of these issues because if blood sugar levels drop too low, it can become a life-threatening situation. Organ damage can also occur, and some types of organ damage are irreversible.
Causes
The simplest way to understand hypoglycemia is that the human body needs sugar to operate. The sugar levels also need to be balanced. If they are too high or too low, the body will respond adversely. This is why it is not advisable to let children go long periods of time without eating a meal or having a snack. Hypoglycemia can also occur during periods of sleep. This type of blood sugar lowering is referred to as nocturnal hypoglycemia.
Treatments
The treatment for hypoglycemia in children varies. Doctors have to determine the cause and whether it is something that can be treated without medications. Sometimes lifestyle changes are enough to control the condition.
A pediatric service that offers blood sugar testing for children is a good resource to use to determine if your child has or is at risk for diabetes. If your child has diabetes, they can educate you on how to test your child's blood sugar at home. Some children with certain types of diabetes may need to take insulin. The professionals can educate you on how to administer insulin to younger children. They can educate older children on how to do it themselves.