Verified By Dr Mahesh Chavan November 16, 2023
5650Type II diabetes is not juvenile diabetes and uncommon in children. But this is changing slowly and gradually. Type II diabetes is adult-onset diabetes, which has unfortunately started to affect the children of this generation. Various factors are responsible for this, but obesity ranks among the topmost factors. It is a chronic disease, which is entirely manageable as well as preventable.
Your child’s body is either not producing enough insulin to meet bodily demands or is resisting the use of insulin, also known as insulin resistance. Your doctor will recommend that your child gets enough exercise, is active, and eats healthy food. But sometimes, diet and exercise fall short in eliminating or controlling the disease. In such cases, medical treatment is also needed . The article focuses on the rise of type II diabetes in children.
Nowadays, type 2 diabetes is also affecting children. It is due to the rise in obesity among them. This condition does not allow the body to use insulin. The risk of type II diabetes in children increases with obesity, family history, inactivity, etc. Diabetes comes with several complications too. However , preventive measures and a healthy lifestyle can help your child combat this ailment.
Type 2 diabetes might get hard to notice in children due gradual development of symptoms . Your doctor might diagnose this disorder during a routine check-up. Some common symptoms that your child may experience are:
Thekidneys are responsible for cleaning the sugar out of the blood. Over time, they can no longer keep up with this job because there is too much sugar for them to handle. Instead, the extra sugar and other fluids from organs are removed in the urine. This process causes dehydration and thirst. In turn, when the patient drinks more fluids, it leads to even more urination.
It might develop due to a lack of glucose. Glucose gives energy to your cells that perform physiological functions for your body. Lack of glucose in cells makes your child’s body exhausted.
An increased concentration of sugar in blood might extract fluid from your child’s lenses. It leaves your child’s eyes with blurry vision or insufficient focusing power.
If you witness darker spots and pigmentation around your child’s neck and armpits, it might be the progression of type II diabetes. Consult your doctor immediately.
Do not confuse a healthy weight loss with weight loss due to diabetes. Shrinking of muscles, depletion of fat, and loss of body weight is common among children with type II diabetes. It is because your child’s body cells are not getting enough energy in the form of glucose.
It is never too late to see a doctor. Being updated and alert with the right information will help you make the right decision. Get to know the right time to consult a doctor.
See a child’s specialist if –
Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment
The primary cause of type II diabetes is not known yet, but obesity ranks among the top few factors for developing type II diabetes in children. Other factors are:
Diabetes is a disease caused by higher levels of glucose (blood sugar) in our body. This can occur when the body does not produce insulin (a hormone made in the pancreas) or does not use insulin appropriately.
Insulin helps the glucose from food get into the cells of your body for energy. If your body does not produce enough insulin, or your body does not use the insulin appropriately, the glucose stays and builds up in your blood.
A risk factor, in simpler terms, is something that increases your chance of developing that particular disease. It is unknown why certain children develop type 2 diabetes and others do not, even if they have share similar risk factors. But, it is clear that some factors raise the risk, such as:
Your doctor will recommend measuring blood sugar levels three times a day or more. It is the only method to ensure that your child has his or her blood sugar levels in the normal range. Any change or fluctuation shall be taken care of by medical support.
Your doctor will recommend that your child stick to a balanced diet to slow down weight gain and help them tackle type II diabetes. Here are some recommendations for your child:
Being physically active will lower the excess sugar in your bloodstream. Encouraging and motivating your child to exercise for one hour a day can benefit their entire life.
The three approved drugs for treating diabetes in children are metformin, liraglutide, and insulin. Your doctor will prescribe these medications in the following manner:
Weight loss procedures are not an option for everyone. But, for teens who are significantly obese — a BMI above 35 — having weight loss surgery may lead to a remission in type 2 diabetes.
What are the complications of Type 2 diabetes in children?
Complications of type II diabetes in children can turn out to be life-threatening. They are:
Ensure that your child’s blood sugar level is as near as possible to normal. It will reduce the risk of developing complications.
How can you prevent diabetes in children?
Following these two core principles will help .
Eating healthy food with low-fat content is necessary to lose weight for an obese person. Make sure to provide your child with enough fruits and vegetables.
Encourage your child to work out. You can try exercising with your child to motivate him or her towards a better lifestyle. If not possible, you can make your child join dance classes or sports. Doing an activity will keep their bodies healthy and disease-free.
Conclusion
Until now, Type I diabetes was juvenile diabetes, with the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurred more commonly in adults. In fact, it used to be called adult-onset diabetes. But type 2 diabetes in children is on the rise, fueled by the obesity epidemic.
Proper management with a healthy lifestyle can help your child control the ailment .
Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment
MBBS, MD(Medicine), DNB Endocrinology, Consultant Endocrinology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai