diabetes in teenagers

[JOLLYLASS]

my teenage daughter is displaying a few symptoms of diabetes. i thought it was older people who tended to suffer from this. should i get her tested??? her nana has it as well.

[Pea Pod]

If you suspect this go and have her tested. It is quite common in older people because of age and weight, but there is juvenile diabetes.

[Bluerose]

Take a urine sample to the dr's. My daughter has diabetes and she is 4 years old.

[campbellking]

To add to the above answers, there is also a genetic tendency to develop diabetes, so if someone else in the family has it, do get her tested.

[JOLLYLASS]

thanks for your answers we are going to the docs on fri.

[Hans_Olo]

There is 2 types ( at least) of Diabetes both have a genetic tendency but it is more likely in type 2 which happens when people get iolder although it is also happening in very overweight young people. This is due to insulin resistance, ie it doesn't work very well. Type 1 is the one that happens in young people and is due to lack of insulin symptoms are the same treatment is different though.

[Hans_Olo]

Needs a blood test really to make sure someone hasn't got it by the way

[nautiquemt]

there are two types of diabetes. types 1 and 2.

first you have to learn how insulin affects the body. insulin is produced from the pancreas when the stomache signals it to. (when you eat) when you eat, your stomache changes food into glucose, and using beta cells, the amount of food you take in effects the desired amount of insulin for your body to produce. it's basically a balancing act. the insulin is needed for cellular exchange of nutrients. mainly glucose into the cell from the blood stream.

type 1 (hypoglycemia) is a decreased level of insulin released or produced by the pancres when the stomach signals it. so glucose goes into the blood, but little or no insulin. resuling in increased glucose floating around in your blood and not in the cell, resulting in dehydration, weight loss, fatique, etc.

type 1 normally occurs in people under the age of 20. but can occur at any age. there are a lot of signs for type 1. Shaking and confusion, rapid breathing, fruity smell to the breath, abdominal pain, loss of consciousness are considered emergency signs and should be looked at right away.

type 2 (hyperglycemia) is the result of the body not recognising the insulin excreted by the pancreas. you will have excess inslulin and glucose levels, but the insulin is inaffective. this occurs more commonly in older, and more obese people. type 2 is passed down genetically as well, so if it runs in the family, it's possible.