The most common type of diabetes in children and teens is type 1. It is also known as juvenile diabetes.

With this type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make insulin which basically causes diabetes in children. Insulin is a hormone that helps body glucose, or sugar, to get into your cells to give them energy. Without insulin, too much sugar remains in the blood.

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Now younger people or children are also getting type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset diabetes. But now it is becoming more common in children and teens, due to obesity. With type 2 diabetes, the body does not make or use insulin well.

Children or teens have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes if they are overweight or obese, have a family history of diabetes, or are inactive. To lower the risk of type 2 diabetes in children, the parent can do the following things including;

• Be sure they are physically active
• Have them maintain a healthy weight
• Have them eat smaller portions of healthy foods
• Limit there time with the television, computer, and video

What are the Symptoms and Signs of Diabetes in Children?

The symptoms signs of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children usually develop quickly, over a period of weeks. These signs and symptoms include:

Symptoms of Type 1:

• Increased thirst and urination
• Weight loss
• Hunger
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• The fruity smell on the breath

Symptoms of Type 2:

• Urinating more often, especially at night
• Tiredness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Increased thirst
• Itching around the genitals, possibly with a yeast infection
• Blurred vision, as the eye’s lens becomes dry
• Slow healing of cuts or wounds

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What are the Causes of Diabetes in Children?

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes in children is unknown. But in most children with type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system which normally fights against harmful viruses and bacteria mistakenly destroys insulin-producing (islet) cells in the pancreas.

Genetics and environmental factors also play a role in this process.

Insulin does a critical job of moving sugar or glucose from the bloodstream to the body’s cells. Sugar enters the bloodstream when food is digested.

Once the islet cells of the pancreas are destroyed by harmful viruses and bacteria, your child produces little or no insulin. As a result, glucose increases up in your child’s bloodstream, where it can cause life-threatening complications.

What are the Treatments Available for Diabetes in Children?

After diagnosis, a child will usually be referred to a diabetes specialist. Most children with diabetes are cared for by their hospital.

This is because, type 1 diabetes typically means that the vast majority of islet cells that have been destroyed and insufficient or zero insulin can be produced, the only certain way of treating diabetes in children is insulin treatment.

Usually, a diabetes care team plan an insulin regimen that is suited to individual requirements and habits of the child.

Conclusion:

With all this information regarding diabetes in children, doing slight changes in the lifestyle of children we can easily prevent diabetes in children.

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