About type-2 diabetes

Type-2 diabetes happens when:

•the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin

•the insulin that the pancreas makes doesn’t work properly

•the body becomes resistant to the insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that normally helps turn glucose into energy for the body. Glucose is the simplest form of sugar and the body’s main source of energy. Inslin also Insulin inhibits breakdown of fat.

When the body can’t turn glucose into energy, glucose builds up in blood. High blood sugar creates a lot of health problems unless it’s treated. Also, low levels of insulin cause the accumulation of fatty acids in the blood

Type-2 diabetes is linked to lifestyle risk factors including:

•being above a healthy weight, especially around the tummy

•not exercising enough

•having an unhealthy diet, especially too much sugar and fat.

Other risk factors include having other family members with type-2 diabetes and being from a higher-risk ethnic background.

Signs and symptoms of type-2 diabetes

Signs and symptoms of type-2 diabetes include:

•increased urination over a period of weeks

•increased thirst and drinking over a period of weeks

•weight gain

•tiredness

•mood changes

•dehydration.

When there’s high sugar in the blood, the kidneys try to flush it out in urine. This why children with type-2 diabetes might be urinating more. And because the body is making lots of urine to try to get rid of the sugar, it’s also using and losing lots of water. This is why children can get dehydrated.

Does your child need to see a doctor about type-1 diabetes symptoms?

Yes. If your child has some or all of the signs and symptoms of type-2 diabetes listed above, see your doctor.

Tests for type-2 diabetes

Your doctor can diagnose diabetes in your child by doing a finger-prick blood test and a urine test, and by reviewing your child’s symptoms. If there’s glucose in your child’s urine and a high level of glucose in his blood, the doctor will send you and your child to your nearest hospital emergency department.

Doctors in the hospital emergency department might do more tests if they’re not sure

 whether your child has type-2 or type-1 diabetes.

Treatment for type-2 diabetes

There’s no rapid cure for type-2 diabetes, but your child can manage this condition successfully.

The aim of type-2 diabetes management is keeping blood sugar levels within a target range.

Your child will probably have a management plan that includes some or all of the following treatments and strategies:

•medications

•changes to diet

•exercise

•weight loss

•regular blood glucose tests.

•insulin injections if the diabetes is severe.

Your child’s diabetes team will work with you and your child to develop an individual management plan.

Preventing complications from type-2 diabetes

High blood sugar levels can lead to long-term complications like nerve damage, kidney damage, vision problems, pain or loss of sensation in the hands and feet, and heart disease.

Your child is unlikely to have these complications, but he needs to manage his diabetes carefully to avoid complications in the future.

If your whole family eats well and gets enough daily physical activity, you set a good example for your child and make it easier for her to stick with her diabetes management plan.

Preventing type-2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes has a strong link to family history but  it also depends on environmental factors that you can sucessfully control!

A healthy lifestyle can help prevent type-2 diabetes incuding regular physical activity and healthy eating.

Type-2 diabetes mostly affects older people. It’s unusual for children under 10 years to get type-2 diabetes.