Diabetes happens when the body improperly converts food into energy. Diabetes occurs when the body either does not react to insulin or does not create insulin at all. Insulin is a crucial hormone that transports glucose (energy-producing sugar) to the body’s cells. This causes blood sugar to accumulate, putting you at risk for serious consequences.
What is diabetes mellitus?
Diabetes, often known as diabetes mellitus, is a condition in which the body is unable to use glucose as an energy source. In type 1 diabetes, the body is unable to produce enough of the hormone insulin, which is necessary for glucose use. The insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are damaged by an autoimmune process in which the body’s immune system erroneously attacks its own organs or tissues. Type 1 diabetes requires daily insulin injections. This is the most common kind of diabetes in children and adolescents. Insulin resistance is the inability of the body to adequately use insulin produced by the pancreas in patients with type 2 diabetes. As is the situation with type 1 diabetes, insulin production gradually goes down. Previously unheard of in children and adolescents, type 2 diabetes is now being diagnosed increasingly often in young people. Many public health experts attribute this trend to the increased prevalence of juvenile obesity.
Symptoms
- Headaches
- Increased salivation and urination
- Increased hunger
- Weight reduction
- Impaired vision
- Fatigue
- Dryness of the mouth
Even though the development of type 1 diabetes may take years, the onset of symptoms is very abrupt and swift. A person with type 1 diabetes may enter a life-threatening diabetic coma if undiagnosed and untreated (ketoacidosis). Symptoms of type 2 diabetes are identical to those of type 1 diabetes; however, in contrast to type 1 diabetes, symptoms of type 2 diabetes tend to develop slowly and gradually.
Diagnosis
Typically, a diagnosis is obtained with a blood glucose test, which measures the sugar levels in the blood. In prediabetes, the fasting blood sugar level is increased, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Prediabetes is a disorder that raises the chance of acquiring full-blown diabetes. It is diagnosed in people whose fasting glucose levels are consistently high.
When to Obtain Assistance
Consult a physician promptly if your kid displays any of the aforementioned symptoms.
Treatment
for diabetes type 1:
- Insulin doses daily
- alterations to the way of life, including nutrition and activity
- Frequent blood glucose monitoring to track blood sugar levels
Depending on the severity of the condition, type 2 diabetes is treated with:
- alterations to the way of life, including nutrition and activity
- Routine glucose monitoring
- Oral medicines
- Injecting insulin
Regular physical examinations are essential for persons with both forms of diabetes in order to monitor and treat any complications, such as eye issues, renal disease, cardiovascular disease, and neuropathy, that may develop (damage to the nerves).