Babies and children
Basic information and background about Type I and II Diabetes
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disorder in which the body is unable to control the level of sugar in the blood, so that abnormally high levels of sugar develop with potentially serious consequences if left untreated.
The commonest symtoms of diabetes are excessive thirst, craving for sweet foods, passing urine frequently, tiredness and weight loss.
Diabetes Mellitus (it's full medical name) is quite common affecting more than 600,000 people in the UK, of whom over 30,000 are children.
In diabetics, the pancreas, an organ lying beneath the stomach, fails to produce adequate quantities of insulin, which helps to keep the blood sugar level within normal levels. This may be due to a genetic defect that can be passed on to family members, and in some children it is thought that certain viral infections may cause this defect.
There are two main types of diabetes, one that primarily affects young people known as Type I or `juvenile diabetes', and the other affecting the older person is called Type ll or `maturity onset diabetes'.
The Type I or younger diabetic, produces very little or no insulin and so most of them have to receive insulin by injection on a twice daily basis. This type of diabetes often termed `insulin dependent diabetes' tends to develop very quickly and can produce rapid weight loss, dehydration, vomiting and even diabetic coma. In Type II diabetes, the onset is usually more gradual and less severe.
`Juvenile' diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be controlled and normal health restored. As insulin treatment which is vital for this type of the disorder, cannot be given by mouth, they must receive injections every day for life!
Special attention must also be paid to diet, to avoid excessive intake of sugars, and the patient has to become an expert at checking their own blood for sugar levels.
Diabetics are more prone to high blood pressure, heart disease and poor circulation especially affecting the legs and feet. As these particular problems are also more common in smokers, no diabetic should smoke and the parents of diabetic children should not smoke.
Diabetics are also subject to impotence, infertility, blindness, kidney disorders and other disorders such as `thrush' which can affect the mouth and the genital regions.
Despite all of these problems diabetics who are regularly checked by their doctor and ensure that their sugar levels are controlled, can enjoy good health and even enjoy an active sporting life.
Image © NiDerLander - Fotolia.com
Basic background information about Diabetes
Basic information and background about Type I and II Diabetes
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disorder in which the body is unable to control the level of sugar in the blood, so that abnormally high levels of sugar develop with potentially serious consequences if left untreated.
The commonest symtoms of diabetes are excessive thirst, craving for sweet foods, passing urine frequently, tiredness and weight loss.
Diabetes Mellitus (it's full medical name) is quite common affecting more than 600,000 people in the UK, of whom over 30,000 are children.
In diabetics, the pancreas, an organ lying beneath the stomach, fails to produce adequate quantities of insulin, which helps to keep the blood sugar level within normal levels. This may be due to a genetic defect that can be passed on to family members, and in some children it is thought that certain viral infections may cause this defect.
There are two main types of diabetes, one that primarily affects young people known as Type I or `juvenile diabetes', and the other affecting the older person is called Type ll or `maturity onset diabetes'.
The Type I or younger diabetic, produces very little or no insulin and so most of them have to receive insulin by injection on a twice daily basis. This type of diabetes often termed `insulin dependent diabetes' tends to develop very quickly and can produce rapid weight loss, dehydration, vomiting and even diabetic coma. In Type II diabetes, the onset is usually more gradual and less severe.
`Juvenile' diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be controlled and normal health restored. As insulin treatment which is vital for this type of the disorder, cannot be given by mouth, they must receive injections every day for life!
Special attention must also be paid to diet, to avoid excessive intake of sugars, and the patient has to become an expert at checking their own blood for sugar levels.
Diabetics are more prone to high blood pressure, heart disease and poor circulation especially affecting the legs and feet. As these particular problems are also more common in smokers, no diabetic should smoke and the parents of diabetic children should not smoke.
Diabetics are also subject to impotence, infertility, blindness, kidney disorders and other disorders such as `thrush' which can affect the mouth and the genital regions.
Despite all of these problems diabetics who are regularly checked by their doctor and ensure that their sugar levels are controlled, can enjoy good health and even enjoy an active sporting life.
This article was published on Mon 31 July 2006
Image © NiDerLander - Fotolia.com
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