Children And Diabetes – Causes And Symptoms
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.