Diabetes and Your Child: Things To Look For

by | Jul 1, 2014 | Health

Childhood diabetes is the second most common chronic disease in children. Formerly just a disease of adults, it has now grown as a serious complication for children. This is because of the growth rate of childhood obesity, associated with a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits. Every year, your local Children’s Doctor in Andover Kansas will see new diabetes cases in both boys and girls.

The amount of insulin in childhood diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus I, also known as childhood diabetes, represents between 10 and 20 percent of all diabetes cases. In fact, it is the second most common chronic childhood disease known today. In the U.S., over 200,000 children under the age of 15 have diabetes and another 1,000 new cases are produced every year. Diabetes is characterized by an alteration in the production of the hormone insulin by the pancreas, or by a resistance to the action of insulin in the body.

Insulin helps the body convert sugar (or glucose) into energy, thus promoting good functioning of the human body. The amount of insulin released depends largely on the amount of sugar you eat. If you consume more foods rich in carbohydrates (potatoes, sugar, pasta, rice, cookies, etc.), your pancreas will need to work harder than normal.

Children with diabetes

The number of children affected with the disease varies greatly depending on the country of origin. And although the origin of the disease is different, experts say that 90 percent of the cases referred are Type I diabetes. This type of diabetes occurs suddenly and can arise from the first weeks of birth until the age of 30. Although, it is in the period of 5-7 years, and during puberty, when the disease tends to be more common.

Type I diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood. It is characterized by a lack of insulin production and consequently by an increase in blood glucose or blood glucose levels. This is why measuring blood glucose several times a day and inserting insulin subcutaneously are some of the most important pillars of treatment. Many Children’s Doctor in Andover Kansas state that Type II diabetes is hereditary and occurs when cells resist the action of insulin. For more information, contact Wichita Family Medicine Specialists.

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