By: Columba O’Hare
Published: March 8th, 2021
With Type 1 diabetes incidents rising in children this year, the senior advisor on childhood diabetes at the Southern Trust urges parents and teenagers to be aware of the signs and symptoms and not to ignore them.
Type 1 diabetes is a serious autoimmune disease that causes the body to be unable to produce the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar (sugar) levels. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and is the most common type of diabetes in both children and young adults. Diet and lifestyle do not play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a completely different condition than type 2.
Dr. Sarinda Millar
Dr. Sarinda Millar, who was also the Clinical Champion in Diabetes UK, said: “We are definitely seeing more new cases of type 1 diabetes in children than in previous years. For example, in just one week in January, we had nine new cases from our trust area alone. We are also finding that more and more new patients are developing diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.
“The cause of type 1 diabetes is not fully understood, but it is likely to include a variety of environmental and genetic causes. Viruses are also thought to play a role, and there have been some early studies examining a possible link between Covid-19 and type 1 diabetes. We are currently starting our own research to see if exposure to Covid-19 increases your risk of type 1 diabetes. ”
Dr. Millar emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes. If you suspect that you or your child may have type 1 diabetes, see a doctor right away.
“A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes can be worrying for young people and their parents, but with timely diagnosis and support from the interprofessional diabetes team, there is absolutely no reason why no one can lead a normal life. Type 1 diabetes shouldn’t stop you from doing something, as our Diabetic Duo shows.
Dr. Millar adds, “There are four key symptoms known as the four Ts that indicate that you or your child may have type 1 diabetes:
1. go to the toilet more than normal,
2. Be really thirsty
3. Fatigue and
4. Get thinner.
If you notice any of these, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. ”
The charity organization T1DCAT (Type 1 Diabetes for Children and Adolescents) in the southern area supports children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their families. You can follow them on Facebook T1DCAT
For more information on type 1 diabetes, see
WWW.DIABETES.ORG.UK or WWW.PUBLICHEALTH.HSCNI.NET
Created: March 08, 2021
