Ceased to be an Adult Disease… Unknown Things of Diabetes in Children

Although diabetes is considered an adult disease, it is also common in children. Obesity, which is growing like an avalanche, is one of the most important factors in the spread of diabetes, which is spreading all over the world, from adult disease to children. Avrasya Hospital Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Mehmet Ali Talay talks about the unknowns of diabetes in children.

Diabetes is not just an adult disease ...

Diabetes, popularly known as diabetes, is the high blood sugar level experienced as a result of the decrease in the number and function of beta cells that secrete insulin due to various reasons. Diabetes, which is especially seen in children between the ages of 10 and 14, has recently started to be encountered in preschool children. Today, it is thought that there are 18-18 thousand diabetic children under the age of 19 in our country.

What symptoms does diabetes in children occur with?

• The symptoms of childhood diabetes are almost the same as for general diabetes. At this point;
• Feeling of constant thirst,
• Drinking water too often
• Urinating too often
• Do not urinate even at night,
• Some nights don't wet your bed
• Dry mouth
• Inability to gain weight despite eating a lot,
• Weakness and fatigue,
• Bad breath
• Complaints such as abdominal pain are the most common symptoms of diabetes in children.

Insulin deficiency paves the way for Type 1 diabetes

The most typical symptom of Type 1 diabetes, which is the result of insulin deficiency, is that children often take time off to go to the toilet during classes. This situation continues at home and the child always feels the need to go to the toilet. In addition, children's school success starts to decline. Because Type 1 diabetes creates serious fatigue in children. This situation not only reduces study performance but also leads to attention deficit. The biggest problem with type 1 diabetes is that it lasts a lifetime and children have to use insulin throughout their lives.

Convenience foods increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes

Obesity is the most common disease that grows inexorably today. The increase in the fastfood-style diet, the increasing tendency towards unhealthy foods, and the fact that prepackaged foods, which are outside the understanding of our country's food, are now a part of our lives bring obesity, especially in children. Obesity leads to the emergence of Type 2 diabetes in children. In addition to unhealthy diet, sedentary life is also among the risk factors of Type 2 diabetes. In addition, genetic predisposition can be considered as a cause of Type 2 diabetes.

Is it possible to cure diabetes in children?

The aim of the treatment is to provide external control of the insulin resistance regulation function that the body cannot do. In this case, methods that regulate insulin resistance are mostly used.

Type 1 diabetes is not a disease that can be cured or completely eliminated. He may have to use insulin injection for life. In addition, there should be a very good nutrition and exercise program. Various medications and insulin injections can be used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, another type of childhood diabetes. Likewise, it is important to make changes that will change the lifestyle.