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Symptoms of Teen Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disorder of the pancreas and the hormones it secretes, which results in elevated levels of sugar in the blood. In 2007, the Center for Disease Control estimated 187,000 diagnosed cases of diabetes in children and young adults under the age of 21, with 20,000 new cases identified each year in the United States. The normal hormone changes of teenagers tend to aggravate the condition, making it difficult to manage. Recent advances in treatment have led to improved methods of control, showing promise of moving closer toward a cure.

  1. Type 1 Diabetes

    • A healthy pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that helps convert food into cellular energy, which the body uses to carry out essential functions. In some individuals, the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells of the pancreas, slowing insulin production. Without the necessary insulin, glucose in the blood cannot be utilized and accumulates in the blood stream. If left untreated, the condition can be fatal. Research conducted by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has found a low incidence of risk from hereditary factors, with more cases linked to an autoimmune response to viruses and toxins.

    What to Look For

    • Many of the subtle signs of diabetes are also attributed to being a normal teenager: drowsiness, changes in vision and an increase in appetite followed by severe and sudden weight loss. The most commonly reported indicator is an insatiable thirst followed by a frequent need to urinate.

    Treatment

    • The objective of treatment is to manage blood sugar levels. This can be achieved by eating a balanced diet, participating in regular physical activity, and taking insulin by injection or through insulin pumps. The insulin pump is a device worn on the abdomen that mimics the pancreas for a more natural release of insulin.

    Type 2 Diabetes

    • Once called "Adult-Onset Diabetes," type 2 diabetes is now found more commonly in children and adolescents due to the increased rate of obesity. In type 2, the pancreas may produce sufficient insulin levels but the body is not able to recognize it; however, some type 2 sufferers do not make adequate amounts of insulin. Lifestyle is the single most important factor in developing type 2 diabetes.

    What to Look For

    • The signs and symptoms are similar to those listed for type 1 diabetes: frequent urination, increased liquid consumption and a lack of energy as a result of improper use of glucose.

    Treatment

    • Obtaining healthy blood sugar levels is best achieved when body weight is within normal parameters for height and gender. Dietary changes and regular daily exercise can be enough to control some cases of type 2 diabetes. More complicated cases may benefit from the addition of oral prescriptions and supplementary insulin injections.

    New Hope for Sufferers

    • The ease of the insulin pump gives children and teens a sense of independence in managing blood sugar levels. The American Diabetes Association and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation have endorsed continued research and clinical use of the artificial pancreas. The revolutionary device utilizes the insulin pump linked to dermal sensors that provide continuous glucose monitoring.

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