Demystifying childhood diabetes

Demystifying childhood diabetes: the facts about type 1 vs type 2

"Australia's current influenza outbreak is being linked to an increase in type 1 diabetes - often referred to as juvenile diabetes because it affects young people - and it's important to cut through any confusion so that parents know why and what they should do." Dr Christine Bennett, Chief Medical Officer.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when there is too much glucose in the blood because the body is not producing insulin or not using insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas and is needed for glucose to enter the cells and be converted to energy. Currently there is no cure for diabetes. ³

There are 2 main types of diabetes - type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

General statistics

Nationally 1.2 million Australians have diabetes. ¹
Type 1 diabetes represents 10 - 15% of all cases of diabetes in Australia. ¹
Type 2 diabetes represents 85 - 90 % of all cases of diabetes in Australia. ¹
Diabetes is the sixth highest cause of death by disease in Australia. ¹
The number of reported diabetes cases in Australia almost doubled from 400,000 in 1995 to almost 700,000 in 2004-2005. ²
Over 7 million Australian adults were overweight or obese in 2004-2005 ³

What is type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin. Also sometimes known as juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes usually occurs in people under 30 but can occur at any age. Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong autoimmune disease that must be managed with daily insulin injections, regular blood glucose level tests, a healthy eating plan and regular physical activity. ²

Recent media coverage of "flu symptoms masking an outbreak of childhood type 1 diabetes" highlights there may be some confusion around the condition. It is the end result of a process where the insulin-producing islet cells are broken down. The increased blood glucose that results from this process lowers defences against infection and viruses may take advantage of this by invading the body during this time. ²

Type 1 diabetes usually has an abrupt onset and symptoms often include:

Excessive thirst and urination
Unexplained weight loss
Weakness and fatigue
Irritability
Symptoms are commonly mistaken for the flu, fever or infection

If left undiagnosed and untreated, type 1 diabetes can lead to ketoacidosis which is uncontrolled blood glucose levels which causes dehydration and build-up of toxic acids. Symptoms could include severe stomach pain and vomiting which if left untreated can lead to loss of consciousness, coma and ultimately death.

What is happening with type 1 diabetes in Australian children?

The incidence of type 1 diabetes in children is increasing at about 4% each year for reasons unknown.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder, associated with obesity, lack of exercise and poor eating habits. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still produces insulin but for unknown reasons either insufficient insulin produced or the body cannot use the insulin effectively. It usually develops very slowly over years and there may be no obvious symptoms.

Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in adults over the age of 45 but increasingly the disease is being diagnosed in children. In fact, type 2 diabetes has emerged as a critical health issue in overweight and obese children and is very common in Australia at around 27% ³ . Sometimes symptoms go unnoticed as the disease develops gradually. Symptoms may include:

Excessive thirst and urination
Unexplained weight loss
Weakness and fatigue
Irritability
Blurred vision
Skin infections
Slow healing
Tingling and numbness in the feet

Being overweight and obese makes insulin less efficient at controlling blood glucose levels.

What can be done to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes?

While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, type 2 diabetes that is strongly linked to being overweight and obese, can be prevented or delayed. 80 - 90% of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. The key is early detection and a healthy lifestyle. ²

International studies have found that modest weight loss of 5 - 7% and regular physical activity at a moderate intensity of 30 minutes five times a week, lowered the risk of developing diabetes by nearly 60 per cent. ¹

What are the long term problems/risks associated with diabetes?

Complications caused by diabetes include increased risk of heart disease and stroke, blindness, kidney failure, limb amputation and erectile dysfunction in men.