Diabetes is a common life-long condition where the amount of glucose in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. This is because the pancreas does not produce any insulin, or not enough, or the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance).
Insulin is necessary to help glucose enter the body’s cells, where it is used for energy. Glucose comes from digesting carbohydrate and is also produced by the liver. Carbohydrate comes from many different kinds of food and drink, including starchy foods such as bread, potatoes and chapatis; fruit; some dairy products; sugar and other sweet food.
There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2
Type 1 diabetes develops if the body is unable to produce any insulin and usually appears before the age of 40. It is by far the most common type of diabetes found in children. It is treated with insulin (either by injection or pump), following a healthy, balanced diet and getting regular physical activity. The information provided in this section is about children with Type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly. It usually appears in people over the age of 40, though in South Asian and Black people it often appears from the age of 25. It is also becoming more common in children and young people of all ethnicities.
Type 2 diabetes is treated with a healthy, balanced diet and increased physical activity, but medication and/or insulin is often required.
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are serious conditions which can lead to complications in later life, such as damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and major arteries.
To reduce the chances of developing these complications all people with diabetes, including children, need to keep their blood glucose levels as close to the target levels agreed with their diabetes healthcare team and they may need support in this.
Symptoms
Schools can be in a position to notice the signs that a child may have diabetes. The main symptoms are:
- increased thirst
- passing urine frequently (especially at night)
- extreme tiredness
- unexplained weight loss
- genital itching or regular periods of thrush
- blurred vision.
Diabetes is diagnosed by a simple blood test and once treated the symptoms are usually quickly relieved.