Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition where the body does not make the hormone insulin, or it cannot use insulin correctly. Insulin is important because it helps convert sugars into nutrients that the body can use for energy. Without enough insulin, these sugars build up in the blood. Over time, high blood sugars can cause problems in many organs and cells, including the blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and heart.

There are two main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks and damages the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, so it can no longer produce enough insulin. This type of diabetes can occur at any age, but it is most commonly diagnosed in children.
• Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the pancreas can no longer use insulin correctly. It is the most common type of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults, but is becoming more common in children. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being overweight, not getting exercise, and having a family history of the disease.

What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?

The symptoms of diabetes can vary depending on the type of diabetes your child has. Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:

• Urinating often
• Feeling thirsty or drinking often
• Tiredness
• Wetting the bed after being dry at night
• Losing weight

Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• Urinating often
• Feeling thirstier than usual
• Blurry vision
• Bladder infections
• Wounds or skin infections that don’t heal
• Weakness or tiredness
• Irritability
• Nausea or vomiting

What causes diabetes?

Experts are not sure what causes some people to get type 1 diabetes. They believe it's a combination of genetics and other causes.

It is also not clear what causes type 2 diabetes, but there are certain risk factors that cause some children to be more likely to develop the condition. These include:

• Being overweight
• Having other family members with diabetes
• Not getting regular exercise
• Having a high triglyceride level or low level of “good” cholesterol (HDL)

How is diabetes treated?

Treatment for diabetes will depend on your child’s type of diabetes and how severe their condition is. Your pediatric endocrinology care team at Arkansas Children’s is experienced in treating diabetes in children and will work with you and your child to develop an individualized care plan for your child’s specific needs.

There is no cure for type 1 diabetes. Children with type 1 will need to take daily insulin for the rest of their lives to keep sugar levels in check.

Children with type 2 diabetes may have several treatment options. These options may include:

• Lifestyle changes, including eating a healthy diet and getting exercise. A dietitian can work with you to help create a healthy diet plan
• Oral medicines to help reduce blood sugar levels
• Insulin