It is alarming to note that there has been an observed significant increase in the reports of type 2 diabetes in children. This is a disease that can cause death and it is only right that the authority take proper action. Before, it was generally believed that only diabetes type 1 is present in children and adolescents and this was even called juvenile diabetes. However, recent research shows that about 8-45% of children who have diabetes are in fact having type 2, and not type 1. Type one diabetes is more of an immune deficiency in which the insulin-producing beta cells are destroyed. In type 2, the insulin cannot be taken into the cells because of cholesterol.
It is important for one person to know and understand the symptoms of diabetes in children for both types. With this knowledge, one will be able to diagnose up front if the child is a candidate for this disease.
For type 1 diabetes in children, the patients are usually not overweight or obese. What is often noticed here is weight loss and that the child is displaying frequent urination and is always thirsty. For type 2 diabetes, patients are usually obese. In the urine samples of a type 2 patient, one will observe that there is sugar in there. There is also a strong diabetes history in the family and this is a suggestion that this type of diabetes is hereditary. Accordingly, about 45% of children with type 2 diabetes have parents who are also diabetic. The most common physical symptom is the presence of dark patches in the skin, usually between the fingers and at the back of the neck.
According to scientists, the changes in hormones during puberty increase the possibility of kids resisting to insulin and this is a major cause of diabetes type 2. There is also a strong genetic correlation and this is often blown up by bad diet and social conditions. It is a fact that diabetes type 2 for children and adolescents is considered very complex, unlike type 2 diabetes for adults in which the recommended treatment is change in diet.
The top three treatments for type 2 diabetes in children are prevention of complications; bringing blood sugar levels or glucose levels close to what is acceptable or normal; and glycosylate hemoglobin balance. As of this time, there is very little known cure for type 2 diabetes in children. Most of the treatments applied are based on adult diabetes type 2.
These are just some facts on Type 2 Diabetes Children you should be aware of. If you or your loved ones are diagnosed with diabetes, then you should also consider Diabetes Care tips online which provides lots of diabetes information and ideas to make living with diabetes much easier.
