The Difference Between Diabetes in Children and Adults

It's no secret that diabetes is a serious issue that afflicts over 170 million people world wide.

For years, doctors have tried to find the secret to cure the disorder completely. Unfortunately, the only way to reduce diabetes and its symptoms is to maintain a stringent diet and exercise program while taking in various medications and insulin injections. Although many assume diabetes is similar in all ages, the truth is in many cases, diabetes is different in children and adults.

The Diabetes Dilemma: How It's Different in Children and Adults

• Type One: In type one diabetes, the pancreas of the the afflicted does not produce sufficient insulin to break down blood sugar in the body. These sufferers are required to take frequent insulin injections from animals or a synthesized substitute. Not only that, but type one diabetes is normally caused by genetic factors.


• Type Two: In type two, the afflicted may produce insulin regularly, but the body is resistant to the insulin and as a result, is not absorbed into the blood. Treatment for this type is normally restricted to diet, exercise, and anti-diabetic drugs because insulin injections do not work. Type two can have a genetic source, but studies show that obesity can lead to its onset.

So how is diabetes different in children and adults?

Children -Children that suffer from diabetes frequently develop it before age seven if they are normal weight. This is because type one diabetes is more likely from a genetic defect that causes the pancreas to produce too little to no insulin. The good thing is that if discovered early, children can lead a fairly healthy and happy life. Not only that, but type one diabetes patients also have a higher chance of having a successful pancreas transplant.

Children that face severe obesity are more likely to develop type two diabetes if symptoms occur.

Adults -In adults, the more probable type of diabetes is type two. This is because years of eating unhealthily and working out irregularly can lead to significant weight gain. Combine this with stress from work and family, and the effects can cause extreme insulin resistance.

Normally, doctors can predict by a patient's lifestyle if they may acquire type two. In rare cases, those who were diagnosed with type two came out of it after losing weight and eating healthy. If not, the sickness stays and can develop into type one.