Symptoms and Associated Risks with Type 2 Diabetes in Children

1. Symptoms and Associated Risks with Type 2 Diabetes in Children Impaired insulin action and high glucose levels are the main cause of diabetes. Worldwide, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in children above 12 years of age is as high as 1% for certain ethnic groups, says a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Without timely intervention, the effects of diabetes on the body can lead to long-term health complications. It is a good idea to educate yourself about the symptoms and risks to keep your child safe. Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes The symptoms are not very prominent since diabetes develops gradually. However, one can look out for the following conditions as signals that your child may need to go for a checkup. Excessive Thirst and Hunger Abnormally high sugar buildup in the body can lower the fluid levels in tissues. This makes the child feel thirsty more often. Additionally, insulin resistance leads to reduced energy for the body cells to function well. A condition called hyperphagia develops where the child will be hungry often to derive fuel from food. Without proper diabetes nutrition, the condition can worsen. Fatigue Lack of adequate sugar in the blood leads to tiredness and sleepiness. This is because reduced sugar in the cells affects energy levels, making children feel easily exhausted. Frequent Urination When excessive sugar is present in the blood, it gets passed on to urine followed by water. As a result, the child will take frequent washroom breaks. Additionally, high glucose can drain tissues of water, which makes the child thirsty and drink a lot of water throughout the day. This leads to frequent urination. Slow Healing One of the most noticeable effects of diabetes on the body is the time it takes for bruises to heal or prolonged periods of cold. High glucose prevents efficient blood circulation. This affects the flow of blood to the skin and reduces the capability of white blood cells to cure infections. Dark Patches Low blood circulation due to elevated sugar levels can interfere with the levels of collagen. This can darken the child’s armpits and neck. The overall appearance and texture of the skin also gets affected. Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes The risk of type 2 diabetes can increase under the following conditions: 1.If a parent or sibling has diabetes, it may be passed on to a child. In fact, if the mother has increased sugar levels during pregnancy, there is a higher risk of the child developing diabetes.

2. 2.Obese children can have as much as 40% lower glucose metabolism than healthy kids. Abdominal fat and insulin sensitivity are inversely proportional. 3.If your child is physically inactive, the cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to diabetes. 4.Gender is a major factor for this disease and adolescent girls are more often affected by diabetes than boys. 5.Consumption of high fat and processed food, along with an unhealthy lifestyle, is also a contributing factor. Certain foods to prevent diabetes can keep blood sugar under control. Make sure you talk to the pediatrician and endocrinologist for professional help in reversing type 2 diabetes in your child.