Why Are More and More Children Diagnosed With Diabetes?
Tags: diagnosedwithdiabetes, diabetes, foundme
Published: 2023-03-08 18:19:45

## It’s Time To Face The Facts About Diabetes In Children 

Did you know that children are now being diagnosed with adult diseases? Children ages seven to seventeen are being diagnosed with an incurable disease, known as diabetes. They are now facing kidney and heart problems as well as high blood pressure. 

Despite being a child, many of them are experiencing complications and disease progression four times faster than adults with the same diagnosis, according to Healthline. Facing the facts about diabetes is not only scary, but eye-opening as well. 

The internet is filled with misconceptions [about diabetes](https://foundme.com/diabetes-and-emergencies/). Therefore, it’s important to educate yourself and others on the complexity of the disease. 


In this blog, we will cover the basics of diabetes in children and adults, facts about food and great alternatives that are diabetes friendly, myths that have been swarming the web, and a few tips to help give you peace of mind when facing the overwhelming obstacles of diabetes. 

## A Diabetes Overview: Type 1 and Type 2 

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be confusing. But each type is different so it’s important to educate yourself on the difference between them. 

**Type 1 diabetes (less common):** The body attacks itself and requires daily doses of insulin. Type 1 is considered an autoimmune disease as the insulin producing cells in the pancreas are being destroyed. 

**Type 2 diabetes (more common):** Two things can happen with type 2 diabetes. Your body either does not produce enough insulin, or your body’s cells don't respond to insulin normally. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, up to 95% of people with diabetes have type 2. 

## Facts or Myths? 

An estimated 100 million U.S adults have diabetes or prediabetes, according to the CDC. However, the condition is complex and not fully understood by everyone. Gaining a better understanding of diabetes can help clear up a lot of stigma about it, narrowing you down to the important facts that you should know about if you or a loved one has diabetes. 

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/y2xqc95ybml67f7o49xa.PNG)

## Common myths about diabetes: 

1. Diabetes is contagious.
 Some people don’t know much about type 1 or type 2 diabetes but might question whether it’s transferable through sexual contact, saliva or blood. Science has confirmed that diabetes is impossible to be transferred, therefore not contagious. 

2. Diabetes is caused by eating excessive amounts of sugar.
 I’m sure we’ve all heard that eating too much sugar can lead to diabetes due to elevated blood sugar levels. Sugar does not cause diabetes but can contribute to it. The body’s inability to use insulin properly causes a blood sugar spike. 

3. Once diagnosed with diabetes, you can’t eat sugar
. After being diagnosed with diabetes, some people will think that all sugar is completely off-limits. The fact of the matter is, people with diabetes can eat sugar in moderation. Managing diabetes is all about eating a balanced diet. 

4. Diabetes is only concerning for those who are overweight
. We typically associate those with diabetes to be overweight, however, diabetes can develop in people of all sizes. Approximately 85 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are diagnosed with obesity, resulting in approximately 15 percent of people that aren’t. 

5. My family doesn’t have diabetes,so I won’t have diabetes
. This is a common misconception while genetics is one risk factor for the disease, but not the only one. There are a number of risk factors for diabetes that don’t relate to family history. 

6. Everyone with diabetes takes insulin.
 The truth is, not everybody with diabetes needs to take insulin. Depending on type 1 or type 2, some people can manage their blood sugar with medications and nutritional changes. 

7. Diabetes isn’t that dangerous
. Unfortunately, diabetes can lead to life threatening complications. This includes: high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, kidney damage/failure, blindness, and/or nerve damage. Diabetes can also lead to pregnancy complications. 

	

## Symptoms of Diabetes 

It’s very important to listen to your body. Our bodies typically tell us what is going on and they know a lot more than we do. According to the CDC, you should see a doctor if you have any of the following diabetes symptoms: 

- Urinating more often than usual 
- More thirsty than usual 
- Losing a significant amount of weight without reason or explanation 
- Constantly hungry 
- Blurry vision 
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
- Drier skin than usual 
- Sores or wounds healing slower than usual 
- Experiencing more infections than usual 
- Feeling very tired or sleepy
- Dry eyes 

Symptoms vary depending on which type of diabetes you have. People who have type 1 diabetes may experience nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains. Those with type 2 diabetes usually don’t experience any symptoms. This is because type 2 diabetes happens over a long period of time. Because symptoms of type 2 diabetes are hard to pinpoint, it’s important to know the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. If you feel like you may have diabetes, visit your doctor immediately. 

## Diabetes and Food: Everything You Need To Know

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/aofkb6twcwrs9a3e7d7m.PNG)

It’s no secret that a balanced diet is important for everyone, even if you don’t have diabetes. Processed foods, such as fast food that are high in cholesterol and unhealthy fats can lead to a handful of health issues. 

To obtain a healthy nutrition, a majority of the calories  you intake should come from foods such as: 

- Fresh fruit/vegetables: berries, apples, bananas, oranges, cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, kale, green beans, etc. 
- Whole grains: whole wheat bread, pasta, rice, etc. 
- Nuts: walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc.
- Lean proteins: salmon, chicken breasts, turkey, etc. 

Food that provide little to no nutrition, such as fast food, are “empty calorie” foods, and these include:

- Processed sugar: cakes, cookies, donuts, ice cream
- Processed meals: burgers, hot dogs, pizza
- Sodas and energy drinks 
_
“Diabetes doesn’t mean that you have to give up everything you love”_

It’s common for those who have just been diagnosed with diabetes to expect the worst and assume that most of their favorite snacks and indulgences are off-limits forever. The truth is, there are alternatives to almost everything. Let’s go into a few alternatives that are diabetes friendly: 

- Almond flour. Flour is found in many of our favorite foods. Switching to almond flour can help those with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels more efficiently and it even adds a naturally sweeter taste! 
- Sugar alternatives. Stevia, monk fruit, or allulose are great alternatives to sugar for those with diabetes as they do not raise blood sugar levels during consumption. 
- Carb alternatives. Beans, quinoa, oats, greek yogurt and high-fiber fruits are all great alternatives to carbs. Not only are these good for your sugar and insulin levels, but these foods keep you full much longer throughout the day. 
- Tea. A great choice for those with diabetes, it is a great carb-free way that provides hydration and antioxidants. Tea is also known for being anti-inflammatory, blood-sugar-lowering, and insulin-sensitizing properties making it a great choice for diabetes management. The best teas for diabetes management are green tea, turmeric tea, hibiscus tea, and black tea.
 

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