Type 2 diabetes factsheet
Introduction
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term health condition that can happen in people of all ages, including children.
Type 2 diabetes affects the pancreas, a gland that produces a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps move sugar, or glucose, from the blood into the cells for energy.
In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas will either
- not make enough insulin
- make insulin that does not work well.
When this happens, the glucose level in the blood can become too high. This can cause health problems over short and longer periods.
Type 2 diabetes is different to:
- type 1 diabetes
- gestational diabetes 鈥� a condition that can develop during pregnancy.
Some children are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than others. Risk factors can include:
- having a close family member with Type 2 diabetes
- lifestyle鈥� low levels of physical activity, a poor diet and being above a healthy weight range
- being from a specific culture or country, including:
- Aboriginal
- Torres Strait Islander
- Pacific Islander
- Chinese
- Middle Eastern
- South Asian
- African.
聽Signs and symptoms
Type 2 diabetes can develop slowly and may not cause any visible symptoms.
If your child does have symptoms, they may include:
- feeling tired during the day
- extreme thirst
- needing to do a wee more than usual
- darker than usual patches of skin around the armpits or the back of the neck.
Diagnosis
Type 2 diabetes can be diagnosed using results from blood tests, including:
- fasting glucose 鈥� measures blood glucose after not eating or drinking for several hours
- random glucose 鈥� measures blood glucose at any time in the day
- glucose tolerance test 鈥� measures how well your child鈥檚 body manages a special sugary drink after a period of not eating or drinking
- HbA1c 鈥� measures average blood glucose levels over the last 10-12 weeks.
Your child鈥檚 doctor will tell you about the tests needed and what you need to do to prepare.
Treatment
After diagnosis, children will see a specialist, such as a:
- paediatrician 鈥� a child health specialist
- endocrinologist 鈥� a hormone specialist.
Type 2 diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed with a combination of:
- lifestyle changes
- healthy eating
- weight loss
- regular physical activity
- medication that lowers glucose levels
Managing Type 2 diabetes well can lower the likelihood of more severe health issues in the future.
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Short-term complications
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia means high blood glucose. It can happen when there is not enough insulin or your child鈥檚 body cannot use insulin properly. It can happen in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening condition that happens when the body breaks down fat for energy instead of glucose. This causes dangerous levels of toxic chemicals called ketones in the blood. It can happen in Type 1 diabetes and is less common in Type 2 diabetes.
Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state
Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) is a serious condition that happens when blood glucose levels become extremely high.
This makes the blood thick, like syrup. It is more common in Type 2 diabetes and can cause severe dehydration and other complications.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia means low blood glucose. It can happen when there is not enough glucose in the blood. This can happen in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes when your child:
- has too much insulin
- skips meals
- does physical activity.
Healthcare team for type 2 diabetes
A team approach helps manage type 2 diabetes. Along with your local doctor and diabetes team, your child may need support from other health professionals like a:
- dietitian 鈥� for nutrition and diet support
- exercise physiologist 鈥� for exercise and physical activity support
- podiatrist 鈥� to treat foot problems related to diabetes
- optometrist 鈥� to treat eye and vision problems related to diabetes
- pharmacist - for support with insulin and medication
- counsellor, social worker or psychologist 鈥� to support behaviour, mental health and managing long-term illness.
Long term complications
Type 2 diabetes that is not managed well or undiagnosed can cause long-term health problems, including:
- heart disease
- stroke
- kidney damage
- eye problems
- nerve damage
- infection or damage to feet
- infection or damage to skin
- gum and tooth disease.
