Pediatric Diabetes Care in Orlando

Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes, is a chronic condition caused by a low or nonexistent production of insulin by the pancreas. Insulin is needed in order to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells and produce energy. The root cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown; however, scientists know that a person’s immune system mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Genetics may play a role in this process.

There is no cure for type 1 diabetes, but it can be successfully managed, allowing patients to live longer, healthier lives.

Signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes may include:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination – When excess sugar builds up in the bloodstream, fluid is pulled from body tissue, resulting in increased thirst and subsequent urination.
• Extreme hunger – Without a normal amount of insulin to move sugar into your cells, muscles and organs become depleted of energy. Without insulin, the sugar in the food you eat never reaches your energy-starved body tissues.
• Weight loss – Despite drinking more water and eating more food than usual to relieve thirst and hunger, persons with Type 1 diabetes may experience weight loss. Without the energy from sugar getting into the body tissue, muscles and fat stores may shrink.
• Fatigue – When cells in the body are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable.
• Blurred vision – When blood sugar is too high, fluid is pulled from the tissues in the body, including the lenses of the eyes.

Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the sugar (glucose) in the body isn’t metabolized properly. In Type 2 diabetes, the body resists the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain a healthy glucose level. Left untreated, this condition can be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes may include:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination – When excess sugar builds up in the bloodstream, fluid is pulled from body tissue, resulting in increased thirst and subsequent urination.
• Extreme hunger – Without a normal amount of insulin to move sugar into your cells, muscles and organs become depleted of energy. Without insulin, the sugar in the food you eat never reaches your energy-starved body tissues.
• Weight loss – Despite drinking more water and eating more food than usual to relieve thirst and hunger, persons with Type 2 diabetes may experience weight loss. Without the energy from sugar getting into the body tissue, muscles and fat stores may shrink.
• Fatigue – When cells in the body are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable.
• Blurred vision – When blood sugar is too high, fluid is pulled from the tissues in the body, including the lenses of the eyes.
• Slow-healing sores or frequent infections – Type 2 diabetes affects the body’s ability to heal and resist infection.
• Areas of darkened skin – Some people affected by Type 2 diabetes may have darkened areas of skin, usually in the armpits. The condition may be a sign of insulin resistance.

Hypoglycemic disorders in children occur when a child has an abnormally low blood sugar level, which is an essential source of energy for the body. Hypoglycemic disorders aren’t diseases, but do indicate a health problem. Hypoglycemia can be a side effect of diabetes drug treatment.

Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemic disorders may include:

• Confusion, abnormal behavior or both, such as the inability to complete routine tasks
• Loss of consciousness, though uncommon
• Seizures, though uncommon
• Visual disturbances, such as double vision and blurred vision
• Anxiety
• Heart palpitations
• Hunger
• Shakiness
• Sweating
• Tingling sensation around the mouth

Maturity onset diabetes of youth (MODY) in children is a very rare form of diabetes that is caused by mutations in a single gene. Typically, this condition is diagnosed in late childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. Because MODY runs strongly in families, it’s important to be aware of this condition if it exists in your family’s medical history.

Maturity onset diabetes of youth is caused by a mutation in a single gene. If a parent has this gene change, their children are 50% likely to inherit the gene as well. If a child does in fact inherit this gene, they will typically develop MODY by age 25, no matter their weight, lifestyle, or ethnic background.