A child who drinks and urinates a lot : is it a sign of diabetes ?

Diabetes is a disease that is characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia, a too high glucose level due to an excess of sugar in the blood. There are two types of diabetes with different causes and symptoms. It can affect anyone, regardless of age (children, young people, adults or the elderly). But in children, is drinking a lot of water and urinating all the time a sign of diabetes?

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that results from a disorder in the storage of sugars from the diet. It is therefore recognised by a high level of glucose in the blood, also called hyperglycaemia. When we eat, our blood sugar levels rise because the food we eat is made up of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, three essential elements that the body needs to function properly. It is the balance between the beta cells in the pancreas and glucagon (which releases glucose stored in the liver) that keeps blood sugar levels in the body stable. This balance does not work in diabetes. But what are the signs of diabetes for adults and children ? More details on Pep2Dia.

How do you know if you have this disease and what are the two types of diabetes?

To find out if you have diabetes or not, you need to have a medical analysis in a laboratory. This analysis must be done on an empty stomach and is recognised by a blood sugar level of 1.26 g/l or higher. There are two types of diabetes : type 1 which affects only 6% of diabetics and type 2 which affects 92%. The remaining 2% are secondary diabetes, which is linked to certain diseases and/or the use of certain medications.

Is a child who drinks and urinates a lot a sign of diabetes?

Yes, drinking a lot and urinating several times a day are symptoms of type 1 diabetes. Parents should pay close attention to their children, because a late diagnosis can be fatal. It is therefore advisable to consult a doctor if these signs are present. Taking a drop of blood from the child's fingertip is sufficient to test for diabetes and can prevent late complications.

3 tips to avoid diabetes complications

What are the risk factors for diabetes ?