CHILDREN HEALTH
Common Health Related Issues Here In Bahrain

 

The signs and symptoms of diabetes are:

• Increased thirst
• Going to the loo (for a wee) all the time – especially at night
• Extreme tiredness
• Weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Genital itching or regular episodes of thrush
• Slow healing of wounds

* This will develop into some VERY unpleasant symptoms if untreated – diabetes attacks against long-term damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and major arteries.

 

In Type 1 diabetes, the signs and symptoms will usually be very obvious, developing quickly, usually over a few weeks.

 

For people with Type 2 diabetes, the signs and symptoms will not be so obvious or even non-existent in people with Type 2 diabetes. If you are older you may put the symptoms down to ‘getting on a bit’. If you are experiencing these symptoms get tested by your doctor as early action will save you lots of difficulties later in life.

 

Type 1 diabetes develops when the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas have been destroyed. Nobody knows for sure why these cells have been damaged but the most likely cause is an abnormal reaction of the body to the cells. This may be triggered by a viral or other infection.

 

The risk factors:

• A close member of your family has Type 2 diabetes (parent or brother or sister).
• You’re overweight or if your waist is 31.5 inches or over for women; 35 inches or over for Asian men and 37 inches or over for white and black men.
• You have high blood pressure or you’ve had a heart attack or a stroke.
• You’re a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and you are overweight.
• You’ve been told you have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia.
• If you’re a woman and you’ve had gestational diabetes.
• You have severe mental health problems.

 

Treatment:

• Type 1 diabetes is treated by insulin injections and a healthy diet, and regular exercise is recommended. Insulin cannot be taken by mouth because it is destroyed by the digestive juices in the stomach. People with this type of diabetes commonly take either two or four injections of insulin each day. If you have Type 1 diabetes, your insulin injections are vital to keep you alive and you must have them every day.
  
  
• Type 2 diabetes is treated with lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet, weight loss and increased physical activity. Tablets and/or insulin may also be required to achieve normal blood glucose levels. There are several kinds of tablets for people with Type 2 diabetes. Some kinds help your pancreas to produce more insulin. Other kinds help your body to make better use of the insulin that your pancreas does produce. Another type of tablet slows down the speed at which the body absorbs glucose from the intestine. Your doctor will decide with you which kinds of tablet are going to work best for you and may prescribe more than one kind. Type 2 diabetes is progressive. If your diabetes cannot be controlled through lifestyle changes and tablets your doctor may recommend that you take insulin injections.

* Some text from Diabetes UK

 

Hot Topics To Come...........

• Teething
• Potty Training
• Temper Tantrums
• The Terrible Teens!
• Sibling Rivalry
• Help and Support at Home
• Home Midwifes
• Health Visitors

 

Useful tool for info on kids illnesses:
http://www.infomat.net/1/home_time/childrenillguide/index.asp