I want to start talking about Juvenile Diabetes. My husband was diagnosed when he was 17 and is having so many problems as an adult I wanted to start the conversation focusing on younger children and diabetes. I have a niece (my sister’s daughter) shortly after they moved from Rhode Island to Texas (they came a year after I moved down here) my sister mentioned that her daughter was very thirsty and sleeping a lot. I was very concerned to hear that my cute, little 4 year old freckled niece Krysta was having some major signs of having diabetes.
I had read some information about diabetes because I had married my husband already and I wanted to know as much as I could about a chronic disease like this. I expressed to my sister my concerns for Krysta and she took her right down to Cook’s Children’s hospital in Fort Worth. When they tested her sugar it was incredibly high her blood glucose level was 946. A normal blood glucose level is in the low 100’s. A person with blood glucose that high could very easily slip into a diabetic coma.
First I want to let everyone know some signs to be aware of that should set off a concern and doctors visit. If your blood sugar gets too high some symptoms it is called hyperglycemia that you may experience are increased thirst, tiredness, nausea and urinating more frequently than normal. If you have any of these symptoms call your doctor and be seen as soon as possible. Even some pharmacies offer glucose tests which consist of a small finger prick and then the blood is put on a glucometer. Do not ignore these symptoms for yourself or your child. Let’s face it you will most likely notice that your child is drinking more or even sleepier than usual you need to act as promptly as possible so if you cannot get into your pediatrician take your child to your local ER and tell them your concerns. This reality is that if your blood sugar is high for more than 35 hours you could easily slip into coma.
To learn more about Juvenile Diabetes Click Here.