One of the mysteries of the medical world relates to children and diabetes. Until recently 85% of adults had type 2 diabetes but when researchers looked at the cases of diabetes in children they found that over 90% of children under 16 had type 1 diabetes. Additionally until a few years ago Type 2 diabetes was virtually unknown in children but now an increasing number are being diagnosed with it.

Type 1 diabetes is related to the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin which breaks down the glucose in the blood. This usually occurs when the body’s defense mechanism attacks and kills the insulin producing cells. Insulin then needs to be administered manually via an injection on a regular basis. Type 2 diabetes is a resistance to the insulin that is produced. In this case the insulin is produced normally but the body is resistant to it and it doesn’t work effectively. It can usually be treated by a good diet, exercise and insulin supplements if required.

It has long been known that obesity, lack of exercise and poor diet play a big part in the onset of type 2 diabetes. Many researchers now believed that the increased levels of obesity in children are leading to the sudden appearance of type 2 diabetes. The causes of type 1 diabetes in children are not known, evidence suggests that there is a link between faulty genes and environmental factors. It is known however that diabetes is not hereditary and is not passed from one generation to the next.

Children who have diabetes tend to actually live longer than people who get diabetes in later life. It is speculated that this is because they get into a routine of controlling their diabetes with regular injections and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Parents of children with diabetes should look out for the signs of low glucose levels and always have access to glucose or sweets. Additional regular checkups for kidney and eye problems should be scheduled as these are the 2 areas most affected by diabetes.

The symptoms of diabetes in children are very similar to those of adults. Constant thirst, and frequent urination obviously these 2 may be linked. Also be on the lookout for tiredness and a loss of weight. Additionally children often complain of regular stomach aches and headaches. In some cases a child may suffer from diabetic acidosis which has all the symptoms above but may also include unconsciousness. In cases like this immediate hospitalization is required.