Type 2 diabetes mellitus in children is a long-term disease that changes how the body uses glucose, or sugar, as fuel. If the disease isn’t treated, sugar builds up in the blood, which can have dangerous long-term effects.
The ADA, or American Diabetes Association, says that children who are overweight or fat and have two other risk factors should start getting checked for type 2 diabetes when they are older than 10 years.
This blog will explore the causes, insulin functioning, risk factors, and symptoms of type 2 diabetes in children. We will also discuss the treatments for this disease. Additionally, medication like Rybelsus 14 mg helps control blood sugar levels.
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes in Children
Type 2 diabetes results from insufficient insulin produced by the pancreas, or the body cells stop responding to the insulin (insulin resistance). There may also be a role for genes. For example, the chance of getting type 2 diabetes goes up if one or both parents have it.
Insulin resistance is found in children who are overweight. As the body tries to keep insulin in check, high blood sugar causes a number of health problems that could be dangerous. The number of obese children and teens in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970s, as reported by the CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is approximately 12.7 million or 17 per cent of the total number of children.
How insulin works: Insulin lets glucose in the blood get into cells so it can be used as fuel to generate energy. Glucose accumulates in the blood when it can’t get into the cells. This is called diabetes or high blood sugar.
Risk Factors of Diabetes in Children
The majority of children with diabetes are between 10 and 19 years old. The following risk factors increase a child’s chances of type 2 diabetes:
Obesity: It is the most familiar risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Their body cells become more insulin-resistant if they have more fatty tissue, especially within and among the muscle and skin around the abdomen.
According to the CDC, 1 out of 5 children and teens in the United States are overweight or obese.
Genetics or Family History: If a parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes, a child is more likely to get it too. Genes that cause diabetes can be inherited (passed down).
Diet and Nutrition: Diet and nutrition play a crucial role in the management of type 2 diabetes. Eat whole grains, fruits, veggies and carb-enriched food. Avoid eating red meat, sugar beverages, and processed foods.
Sex and Age: Although type 2 can occur at any age, it frequently affects younger children. Young boys are less likely than girls to develop the symptoms of type 2 diabetes children.
Gestational or Pregnancy Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes mostly occurs in children born to mothers who have diabetes during pregnancy. The NCHS, or National Center for Health Statistics says that the percentage of females giving birth increased from 6.0% in 2016 to 8.3% in 2021 who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Preterm or Premature Birth: The risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes is linked to premature birth. Babies born premature or before 37 weeks of pregnancy are at higher risk than normal-born children.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes in Children
It’s not always effortless to spot the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Most of the time, the disease worsens slowly in children, making it hard to notice the signs. Here are some of the most prevalent symptoms of type 2 diabetes in children:
Urinating Frequently: When the level of sugar is high in the blood, it comes out through urine. The children with diabetes go to the washroom more often.
Excessive Thirst & Hunger: If a child has a lot of thirst, it could mean their blood sugar is too high. In diabetes, their cells don’t get enough insulin to feed them. Kids may feel hungry more often since food is their next ideal energy source. This is also called Hyperphagia or polyphagia.
[Hyperphagia, or polyphagia, is a feeling of extreme hunger that can’t be satisfied].
Slow Healing Wounds: Wounds or infections that are hard to heal or take a long time to heal could be a symptom of type 2 diabetes.
Dark Skin: Insulin resistance results in the darkening of the skin. This usually happens in the arms and neck areas. If a child has type 2 diabetes, you may see spots on their skin that are darker than others.
Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes in Kids
The best way to treat your kids depends on their symptoms, age, and overall health. Also, it will depend on how bad the problem is. The goal of treatment is to get the blood sugar levels as close as possible to the average. The treatment will consist of:
A healthy diet & Exercise: Your child’s dietitian can help you make a meal plan that helps prevent type 2 diabetes. The diet may include fruits and veggies that don’t have starch. Avoid sugary foods and beverages.
Exercising regularly burns up sugar for energy, manages a healthy body weight, and improves insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity is when cells are able to react to insulin. This can make blood sugar go down.
Monitoring Blood Sugar: Your child’s doctor will tell you how frequently your child needs to check and write down their blood sugar. Most kids who take insulin need to test their blood sugar more often, maybe 4 times a day or even more.
Insulin Therapy: It includes taking insulin via a syringe or an insulin pen (a device used to inject insulin). Children with Type 2 diabetes who are on insulin therapy need to know how to give themselves injections, check their blood sugar, and what to do if they get low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Medication: With all these lifestyle modifications, prescribed medications can effectively treat your child’s diabetes. These medications encourage the pancreas to release more insulin. These medications can be easily ordered online at the best Canadian online pharmacy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be hard to identify and treat type 2 diabetes in children. You can help your child with type 2 diabetes by understanding the causes, risk factors, and symptoms of type 2 diabetes in children. Motivate your child to follow a healthy diet, stay active, monitor blood sugar levels, and keep their weight healthy.
If healthy food and exercise aren’t sufficient to manage type 2 diabetes, oral medications or insulin therapy may be needed. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and seeking professional healthcare can help your child regulate their blood sugar level.
Thnnnxxx.