Diabetes mellitus is a chronic medical condition that causes problems with the body's ability to change food--especially sugars (carbohydrates)--into fuel for the body. High blood glucose from not properly treating the diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and nervous system over many years. The two most common forms of diabetes are called type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Both forms can occur at any age, but children are more likely to be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough of a hormone called insulin. This stops the body from being able to use sugar, which then build up in the bloodstream. These sugars (also called glucose) that cannot be used by the body pass out of the body in the urine and take water with it. While type 1 diabetes can begin at any age, there are peak periods at about ages 5 to 6 and then again at ages 11 to 13. Often a first sign is an increase in the how often a child urinates, especially at night, and may cause a child who is potty trained to start bedwetting again. There are other key symptoms as well, for example, being very thirsty and tired, losing weight, and an increased appetite.

Type 2 diabetes was once called "adult onset" diabetes, because children hardly ever got it. With rising rates of childhood obesity, however, a growing number of children are being diagnosed with this form of the disease-some as young as 10 years old. In addition to weight problems, other risk factors for type 2 diabetes in children include having a family member with the disease, and being born to a mother with diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes), or other medical problems that affect the way the body handles insulin. Symptoms are similar to type 1 diabetes and may show up gradually. Darkened areas of skin, especially around the neck or in the armpits, are also common.

Although there is no cure for diabetes, children with this disease can lead normal lives if it's kept under control. Managing the disease focuses on blood sugar monitoring, treatment such as insulin therapy, given as multiple injections per day or through an insulin pump, and maintaining a healthy diet. Keeping blood sugars within a normal range reduces is important and lowers the risk of long-term health problems related to poor diabetes control. In addition to a healthy diet, at least thirty minutes of exercise a day can help children manage their disease as well.

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