Is your child at risk of Type 2 diabetes?

According to recent reports, the UK is seeing a small but extremely worrying rise in the number of children developing Type 2 Diabetes, a disease linked to obesity, which is normally only seen in adults.

Here we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the condition:

Q: What exactly is Diabetes?

A: Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin, or not enough insulin, to help the glucose in your blood to enter the body’s cells. Diabetes is caused by the fact that the insulin produced does not work properly. This causes your blood sugar to become too high.

Q: What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2?

A: The two Types both refer to raised blood sugar. Type 1 is believed to be mostly genetic, it is not related to diet or lifestyle and can develop at any age, often beginning in childhood. Type 2 is far more common in adults, though still rare in childhood and is often associated with obesity.

Q: What are the symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?

A: While some people do not have any symptoms, many experience one or more of the following:

• excessive thirst or hunger
• a frequent need to pass water
• fatigue
• unintentional weight-loss
• sores that heal slowly,
• dry, itchy skin,
• loss of feeling or tingling in the feet
• blurry eyesight

Q: What are the health implications of Type 2 Diabetes?

A: If left untreated, the condition can cause serious damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, gums and teeth. If you have Type 2 Diabetes, you are more likely to suffer heart disease or a stroke.

Q: I have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, how can I manage it?

A: The best way to manage Type 2 Diabetes is to control your blood glucose levels by reducing your sugar and carbohydrate intake This, along with keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol low and avoiding smoking, can help improve your cardiovascular health. People who make an on going effort to manage their condition can greatly improve their overall health.

Q: Can Type 2 Diabetes be prevented?

A: Research has shown that making modest lifestyle changes can prevent or delay Type 2 Diabetes. Research has found that adults at high risk of developing the disease were able to cut their risk in half by losing a modest amount of weight and being active almost every day.

Q: How is Type 2 Diabetes diagnosed?

A: You can diagnose the condition using a simple finger prick test, which detects the blood sugar levels in your body. This can be obtained through your GP or purchased from your local and online pharmacy. It can also be diagnosed using a blood test (HbA1C) which gives an average of your blood levels over the previous three months.

Q: How can I treat Type 2 Diabetes?

A: Diet and exercise to help weight loss, combined with medication prescribed by a GP will all contribute to the effective management of the condition.