Type2 diabetes is a devastating disease that is attacking children the world over. Children are in fact acquiring this disease rather than being born with it like in the case of type1 diabetes. Every year over a thousand children are being diagnosed with type2 diabetes and medical experts say that family history of diabetes, obesity and low glycemic levels are the root cause behind this outbreak. Type2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder where the body creates resistance to insulin that causes glucose to rise in the blood which ultimately damages the kidneys and other vital organs. Children who are suffering from type2 diabetes fail to absorb glucose that prevents their body from producing enough energy. The result is that they feel tired and exhausted all the time. The greatest irony is that it is very difficult to diagnose type2 diabetes in children and many children show no symptoms at all. Periodic monitoring of blood sugar level to keep it within the accepted range and a change of lifestyle is all that can be done to control this scary disease. Diabetes cannot be cured but can be controlled.

As a parent you can educate and teach your child suffering from type2 diabetes about the seriousness of this s disease without scaring them. They must be encouraged to take care of themselves from an early age so that as they grow older they are able to minimize the many complications associated with type2 diabetes. Your child must be made to understand that taking insulin shots regularly as prescribed is very necessary to prevent this disease from aggravating any further. Moreover a change of lifestyle, a balanced diet and regular physical activity like sports and extra-curricular activities can work wonders for them.

Instill confidence in your child that they can still lead a normal life provided they regulate it accordingly. As they need your help and support you must ensure that they feel comfortable while approaching you with their questions. You must also stay connected with your doctor because they are the ones who will ensure that your child undergoes necessary tests on a routine basis and also help keep you informed. Type2 diabetes is acquired not inborn like type1 diabetes; hence a little care and proper understanding of a better and active lifestyle can wean your child away from this dreaded disease.

Clinical Weight Problems – Obesity

Being clinically overweight does put the medical odds out of your favour. You may have heard of Body Mass Index? Or BMI? It is simply a clinical weight to height calculation. Used by medical physicians to ascertain if a patient is overweight. Therefore. More likely to develop certain health conditions. Want to work out your BMI? Here you go! [ Weight (lbs) multiplied by 703 ] Then divide the result by [ Height in inches squared ] Not much of a maths buff? You’ll find plenty of BMI quick calculators online. Your results? Under 18.5? You’re underweight! Up to 25 is normal. From 25 to 30. You’re in the overweight bracket. Anyone over 30 is considered to be clinically obese. That’s risky.

Not Enough Exercise

Huge health benefits can be gained from taking regular exercise. Maybe your job dictates spending lots of time inactive. At a desk for instance Long periods of inactivity are not good for your health! Make sure you get enough exercise. Or you may be putting yourself at risk.

High Blood Pressure

People who’ve been diagnosed with Hypertension are at greater risk. Of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Compared to someone whose blood pressure is normal.

Family Medical History

Has anyone in your immediate family been diagnosed with this type of Diabetes? Your parents? Brothers or sisters? If they have. The risk you will also develop the disease, is increased.

Ethnicity

Diabetes Type 2 has been found to occur more frequently within certain ethnic groups: Latinos. Pacific Islanders. African, Asian and Native Americans.

Seniors

The possibility of being diagnosed with Pre Diabetes, or Diabetes, is greater for elderly people. Over the age of sixty. People are more at risk than they ever were before.

Symptoms To look Out For

There are several obvious symptoms. All of which may indicate you have Type 2 Diabetes. Constant hunger and thirst. Or the need to urinate. Unexplained, recent, weight loss. Pins and needles in your feet. Blurred vision. If you are suffering from these symptoms. It’s important to see your medical practitioner. Without delay. Another indication are sores which refuse to heal. Whether it’s Diabetes or not. It’s essential you consult your medical practitioner. To discover exactly what’s causing the symptoms.

Information gives us knowledge. If you know someone, who you think might be at risk. Please pass this information on. Why take risks?

For many people with type 2 diabetes, controlling blood sugar is a struggle every day. In fact, a report issued last year by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) showed that two out of three Americans with type 2 diabetes analyzed in a study were not in control of their blood sugar.

It is important to control blood sugar because it lowers the risk of serious health problems later. Diabetes can cause heart disease, stroke, blindness, loss of limbs and kidney disease.

But now, there’s new help to better manage type 2 diabetes. Life and fitness coach Bob Harper of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” and a panel of diabetes experts created easy-to-understand and motivational steps people can take to get their blood sugar down. They are called 6.5 Steps Toward Better Blood Sugar Control. These steps are different because they can fit easily into everyday living.

“Through my years of coaching and training, I’ve worked with many people with type 2 diabetes and have seen how hard it can be to live with this disease,” said Bob Harper. “But I learned that anyone can change their life. It’s all about finding the right tools and motivation. I urge people with type 2 diabetes to step it up and use the 6.5 Steps and make them a part of their daily lives.”

The 6.5 Steps can help people with type 2 diabetes every day because they focus on the basics of diabetes management: eating healthy, being physically active, monitoring blood sugar and, when appropriate, taking one or more medicines. These all play a part to help lower blood sugar.

Healthy Eating: Healthy eating reduces the risk for complications such as heart disease and stroke. Good choices include many foods, such as vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nonfat dairy products, beans, and lean meats, poultry and fish. There is no one perfect food, but watching portion sizes is key to a healthy diet.

Physical Activity: Regular physical activity can lower blood sugar levels. It can also help manage weight and reduce the risk of developing heart disease and high blood pressure. There are little things people with type 2 diabetes can do every day to be more active, such as walking with a friend or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

Blood Sugar Monitoring: There are two tests for checking blood sugar. One test is the blood sugar monitoring that patients do on their own. It gives people with diabetes a check of their blood sugar level at the time the test is taken. The other one is called the A1C test. The A1C test shows a person’s average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months. Experts say that a good A1C goal is 6.5 percent or less for most people with type 2 diabetes.

Medicines: Most people with type 2 diabetes take medicine to help control their blood sugar levels. Many need more than one medicine to help treat the disease in different ways.

For people with type 2 diabetes, it is important that they team up with their doctor or other health care professional and think of them as a partner. They should work with their health care team to make a plan to get their blood sugar under control.

Type2 diabetes is a devastating disease that is attacking children the world over. Children are in fact acquiring this disease rather than being born with it like in the case of type1 diabetes. Every year over a thousand children are being diagnosed with type2 diabetes and medical experts say that family history of diabetes, obesity and low glycemic levels are the root cause behind this outbreak. Type2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder where the body creates resistance to insulin that causes glucose to rise in the blood which ultimately damages the kidneys and other vital organs. Children who are suffering from type2 diabetes fail to absorb glucose that prevents their body from producing enough energy. The result is that they feel tired and exhausted all the time. The greatest irony is that it is very difficult to diagnose type2 diabetes in children and many children show no symptoms at all. Periodic monitoring of blood sugar level to keep it within the accepted range and a change of lifestyle is all that can be done to control this scary disease. Diabetes cannot be cured but can be controlled.

As a parent you can educate and teach your child suffering from type2 diabetes about the seriousness of this s disease without scaring them. They must be encouraged to take care of themselves from an early age so that as they grow older they are able to minimize the many complications associated with type2 diabetes. Your child must be made to understand that taking insulin shots regularly as prescribed is very necessary to prevent this disease from aggravating any further. Moreover a change of lifestyle, a balanced diet and regular physical activity like sports and extra-curricular activities can work wonders for them.

Instill confidence in your child that they can still lead a normal life provided they regulate it accordingly. As they need your help and support you must ensure that they feel comfortable while approaching you with their questions. You must also stay connected with your doctor because they are the ones who will ensure that your child undergoes necessary tests on a routine basis and also help keep you informed. Type2 diabetes is acquired not inborn like type1 diabetes; hence a little care and proper understanding of a better and active lifestyle can wean your child away from this dreaded disease.