Managing Lifelong Treatment

After your child is diagnosed with diabetes, both of you may have a lot of questions. What can they eat? What if they’re afraid of needles? How can we live a healthy lifestyle? Fortunately, the Pediatric Diabetes Program at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children is here to help. If your child has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, our team of physicians, diabetes educators and dietitians will work with you and your family to develop a long-term care plan.

Learn about Your Child’s Condition

There are two types of diabetes: type 1 or type 2, and they are treated with different approaches. Type 1 diabetes is more common in children and young adults, but only makes up 5 percent of the diabetic population. Type 2 diabetes is typically diagnosed at an older age, but is not uncommon in children.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when your child’s pancreas cannot make a sufficient amount of insulin. Insulin is a crucial part of your child’s body and aids energy creation from simple sugars. The disease requires a lifelong commitment to glucose level management. Insulin injections will be required to help your child’s body in producing energy to function. While there is no direct cause for type 1 diabetes, genetics does play a role in a person’s susceptibility to the condition. Type 1 diabetes is currently incurable, but is extremely manageable with self-care and expert guidance from the pediatric diabetes team at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer.

Type 2 diabetes is caused when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or process it well. Over time, your child’s body develops insulin resistance, causing blood sugar to rise to unhealthy levels. Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed in overweight and inactive patients. Lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and staying active, can begin the pathway to defeating type 2 diabetes. However, in more extreme cases, oral medication and insulin injections may also be required.

Signs and Symptoms of Pediatric Diabetes

Are you unsure if your child has diabetes? If they are experiencing any of the symptoms below, schedule an appointment with our endocrinology and diabetes team today.

• Blurred vision
• Extreme hunger
• Fatigue
• Increased thirst and urination
• Irritability
• Weight loss

Contact Us

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (321) 841-3303.