Diabetes is a condition in which the body can't make enough insulin, or can't use insulin normally. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder. Insulin is a hormone. It helps sugar (glucose) in the blood get into cells of the body to be used as fuel. When glucose can’t enter the cells, it builds up in the blood. This is called high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). High blood sugar can cause problems all over the body.
Diabetes and Your Child: Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
You’ve been told that your child has type 2 diabetes. This means their body has trouble using a sugar called glucose for energy. Diabetes is a lifelong condition. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems. But diabetes can be managed so your child can live a full, healthy life.
Watch this clip to understand what happens within your body when you have type 2 diabetes, and the importance of keeping your blood glucose levels within a healthy range.
