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Diabetes (DYE-uh-BEE-tees) is a disease that stops the pancreas from making insulin. Insulin (in-SUH-lin) is a hormone the body uses to help glucose (sugar) get into your cells and give them energy. If the body doesn’t make enough insulin, too much glucose stays in the blood. Over time, high glucose levels can lead to problems with the heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, gums, and teeth.
There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is most common in children and young adults. It is not known what causes Type 1 diabetes—but it is not caused by lifestyle factors or eating too much sugar Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults. It is affected by lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and being overweight (obese).
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes may include:
You should bring your child to the doctor if they have any of the symptoms listed above, or if you think your child may have type 1 diabetes. You should also tell your doctor if there is a family history of type 1 diabetes, since this can increase the chance that your child has this disease.
Your doctor can use a blood test to diagnose diabetes in your child. This test can show if your child’s blood glucose (blood sugar) level is too high. Even though you can buy blood sugar testing equipment at the pharmacy, these tools cannot be used to diagnose diabetes on your own. Diabetes must be diagnosed by a doctor.
Talking to your doctor as soon as you notice the symptoms of type 1 diabetes in your child can help prevent other problems caused by this disease.
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that can be managed with treatment. Insulin therapy treatments can be used to give your child a healthy life and reduce the chance of problems caused by the disease.
Type 1 diabetes causes symptoms because the child’s body is not able to make the insulin it needs to convert glucose into energy. Insulin therapy is a treatment that gives the child’s body the insulin it needs. There are several ways that a child can take this medicine: