what are the main causes of diabeties in children?

Question

My friends daughter has been diagnoised with this condition. is it life threatening? she is slightly over weight, would this also cause a problem?

she is aged 8 though she looks like shes a 14 year old

Answer 1

We don't know what causes type 1 diabetes - the kind that's most common in children. There are heaps of theories - genetics, viruses, auto-immune disorders .... We do know that it is getting more common and no-one really knows why. Type 1 diabetes has nothing to do with poor diet. This type is when your pancreas stops producing insulin so the only treatment is with insulin, usually through injections.

The kind of diabetes that you've maybe heard about on the news is type 2 diabetes. This is much more common and is caused by a combination of genetics and poor diet. It is most commonly diagnosed in people over 45, but very worryingly it is begining to be diagnosed in children who are generally seriously over weight. Type 2 diabetes is when your insulin doesn't work as well as it should because you have become resistant to it. It can often be treated by diet or tablets, but insulin is prescribed when it progresses.

It is a hassle and often takes a lot of work to treat diabetes, but you can live a normal life. I'm 23 and don't see myself as different from anyone else of my age - I'm studying at university, have a part time job, and live with my boyfriend - diabetes hasn't stopped me doing anything that I want to do. It seems massive at first getting into a new way of living your life around blood tests and insulin, but it soon just becomes a part of life and something you've just gotta do - like brushing your teeth or going to the toilet!

However, it is important to acknoledge the 'complications' of diabetes. High blood sugar causes dammage to organs, so (esp. if it is poorly controlled) it can lead to things like blindness, amputation, kidney and heart problems. To reduce the risk your friend and her daughter need to work hard to control her blood sugars well, but try not to worry about these things - cross that bridge if yous come to it. It can also cause depression - something that many people are unaware of.

Some great charities are diabetes uk (www.diabetes.org.uk), and JDRF (www.jdrf.org.uk), and also check out www.diabetesnow.co.uk - they are esp. good for info. for kids.

Hope that helps a bit - pass on my best withes to them both xx

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

juvenile diabetes is also known as type 1 and is not genetic. There is only a 3 to 5 % chance of type 1 being passed down in a family. Type 1 untreated is deadly, but if the person/child follows what they should then they can live a healthly life style (and about 5 + shots a day or a pump) Now type 2 is different a child can get type 2 but that is still a little uncommon. Type 2 is sometimes caused by an unhealthly eating/lifestyle. Although there are other causes for type 2 having nothing to do with anything negetive that person may of done/not done. Also back to type 1 their eating habbits have nothing to do with it.

Answer 4

Traditionally type 1 diabetes was what was usually seen in children. This has a genetic disposition and some trigger. The pancreas no longer produces insulin which is necessary to change the sugars in food to energy for the body. Nowadays many native Canadian children are developing a different type of type two diabetes which has obesity as a major factor. These children would greatly benefit from losing weight.
Diabetes is definitely life-threatening and needs a doctor's care and on-going education with a specialized diabetes team if possible. All diabetics benefit from a nutritional plan as well as exercise and insulin or other oral medications.

Answer 5

Diabetes is life threatening if left untreated. If the child is Type I then they are insulin dependent meaning they produce no insulin and have to take shots multiple times a day. The cause of this is still unknown, possibly genetics but there has been no clear finding on what exactly causes it. Most children diagnosed with Type 1 would be slightly underweight because of their glucose levels running high prior to diagnoses.

Type 2 diabetes is unfortunately on the rise in our youth due to inactivity and obesity. Too much sugar DOES NOT cause diabetes. Obesity can cause Type 2 which is different from too much sugar - fried foods and generally eating too much can cause obesity sugar isn't the main factor.

Answer 6

The diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is normally done on the basis of the onset of the symptoms like frequent urination, unusual thirst, hunger, sudden weight loss, weakness, extreme tiredness, blurred vision, irritability, extreme case vomiting and nausea. These symptoms worsen in a matter of weeks and by the time the blood tests are done almost 20 to 25 % of the patients start experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Till now Type I diabetes could only be treated with subcutaneous injections or inhalations of insulin and with careful monitoring of blood glucose levels using blood testing monitors. But, apart from these, a drastic change in lifestyle is also necessary. This change should incorporate exercise and a healthy diet. Along with these measures there are different experimental ways to inject insulin into the body, Some of them are: 1) Delivering insulin through a pump. 2) Infusion of insulin 24 hours a day at preset levels. 3) Ability to program a push dose of insulin as needed at meal times. 4) Taking insulin as an inhaled powder. Diet also plays an important part in controlling blood sugar level and a balanced meal planning is a necessity too. Physical activity is very important for a diabetic person as it helps in keeping the person from gaining weight as well as stabilizes the blood sugar level. As Type I diabetes is a chronic condition, treatment must continue indefinitely with lots of care and discipline. The blood sugar level should be between 80-120 mg per decilitre and if it falls below 80mg, Hypoglycemia occurs, needing immediate sugar to be taken and if it rises above 120 mg, Hyperglycemia occurs which should be immediately countered by an injection of insulin.

Answer 7

Children are mostly diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes, which is a genetic disorder. These kids take insulin shots. Nowadays, because of an higher trend of obese children, non-insulin dependent diabetes is becoming a little more prevalent, although still pretty uncommon. It is normally known as adult-onset diabetes. Children get this type of diabetes because of their diet, which is usually high in fat, carb and sugar. This takes a while to develop, so the child must have been eating this unhealthy for years. Usually a restricted diet and some medication helps control this, though rarely is it ever eliminated. It is not life-threatening, but life-changing instead.

Answer 8

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RE:
what are the main causes of diabeties in children?
My friends daughter has been diagnoised with this condition. is it life threatening? she is slightly over weight, would this also cause a problem?

Answer 9

Juvenille Diabetes is caused partly by genetics and partly by environmental factors. The child gets sick (ie: chicken pox, strep, etc) and the immune system is active. The Immune system then attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin (Beta Cells) The reaction of the immune system is caused by a gene.
This can be life threatening if it isn't controlled properly. Positive support from family and friends helps a lot. Being overweight can make it slightly harder to control, but losing the weight won't make her diabetes go away.

Answer 10

diabetis is usually not life threatening. some have to watch their diet and some have to take shots.
most usually diabetes is an inherited disease. from your family tree.
nothing to be really worried about . but everyone in your household should be tested fo diabetes to be safe.