What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes aren't always obvious and they can take a long
time to develop. Sometimes, there are no symptoms. It's important to remember that
not everyone with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes develops these warning signs,
and not everyone who has these symptoms necessarily has type 2 diabetes.
But kids or teens who develop type 2 diabetes may:
- Need to pee a lot. The kidneys
respond to high levels of glucose in the blood by flushing out the extra glucose in
urine (pee). Kids with high blood sugar levels need to pee more often and make more
pee.
- Drink a lot of liquids. Because they're peeing so often and losing
so much fluid, they can become very thirsty and drink a lot in an attempt to keep
the levels of body water normal.
- Feel tired often. This is because the body can't use glucose
for energy properly.
How Is Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosed?
Doctors can determine if a person has type 2 diabetes by testing blood samples
for glucose. Even if a child or teen doesn't have any symptoms of type 2 diabetes,
doctors might test blood sugar in kids who are more likely to get it — like
those who are overweight.
Sometimes doctors may do another blood test, called the glycosylated
hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c or HbA1c) test, to check for diabetes in children at
higher risk for getting type 2 diabetes. This test shows how blood sugar levels have
been running over the past few months.
If diabetes is suspected or confirmed, the doctor may refer you to a pediatric
endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases
of the endocrine system (such
as diabetes and growth disorders) in kids.
How Is Type 2 Diabetes Treated?
Kids and teens with type 2 diabetes use diet, exercise, and medicines that improve
the body's response to insulin to control their blood sugar levels. Some may need
to take insulin shots
or use an insulin pump too.
What Problems Can Happen With Type 2 Diabetes?
Sometimes, kids and teens with type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, or obesity
might develop thick, dark, velvet-like skin around the neck, armpits, groin, between
fingers and toes, or on elbows and knees — a cosmetic skin condition called
acanthosis nigricans. This
skin darkening can lighten over time with improvement in insulin resistance.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in girls is also often associated with insulin
resistance. This hormone problem can make the ovaries become enlarged and develop
cysts (fluid-filled sacs). Girls with PCOS might have irregular periods, might stop
having periods, and may have excess facial and body hair growth. It also can cause
fertility problems.
People with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes are also more likely to develop
hypertension (high blood
pressure) or abnormal levels of blood fats (cholesterol
and triglycerides). When these problems cluster together, it's called metabolic
syndrome. People with metabolic syndrome are at risk for heart disease,
stroke, and other health problems.
Diabetes also can cause heart disease and stroke, as well as other long-term
complications, including eye problems, kidney disease, nerve damage, and gum disease.
While these problems don't usually show up in kids or teens who've had type 2 diabetes
for only a few years, they can affect them in adulthood, particularly if their diabetes
isn't well controlled.