Diabetes is not a one-size-fits-all condition. It is broken down into two types, with type 1 being the most severe and type 2 being the most common.Each type has its own cause, symptoms and treatments.While the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown; it is known that the immune system plays a role. In type 2, insulin is being produced, but other processes are not performing as they should.
The Cause of Type 1 Diabetes in Children
Type 1 diabetes in children is the result of the body's immune system attacking insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. No one knows why the immune system attacks these needed cells, but it is suspected that genetics and viruses may play some part in this condition or in triggering it. The destruction of these cells can be life-threatening if not recognized and treated.
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes in Children
In type 2 diabetes in children, the insulin-producing cells within the pancreas are not being destroyed. Instead, either the body is not functioning as it should when the insulin is released from the pancreas (because it is becoming immune to the insulin), or the pancreas is not producing the quantity required to meet the body's daily needs.
Insulin and its Role
Some cells within the pancreas are responsible for producing insulin, which the body will use to regulate the glucose (sugar) level in the body's bloodstream after food has been eaten. This insulin, acting like a guard, circulates through the bloodstream looking for glucose that has been released.
Once the insulin locates the glucose (which is actually sugar needed by our body's many cells as an energy source), the insulin opens the cell's door, allowing the glucose to enter the cell and exit the bloodstream.
Too Much Glucose
If the insulin is not present in the bloodstream (type 1 diabetes) or the body is immune to the insulin for some reason (type 2 diabetes), glucose (sugar) begins to build up in the bloodstream, causing blood sugar to rise to dangerous levels.
Your child can suffer many dangerous side effects from having too much glucose in his bloodstream. Those effects can range from itching and skin problems to blindness or the need for a kidney transplant.
Serious Consequences of Untreated Diabetes
If her diabetes is untreated, a child can experience additional serious complications as an adult, such as stroke, heart attack and limb amputation.
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