Insulin Resistance in Children
Insulin resistance is a medical condition that is created when insulin is reduced or blocked in the body. Insulin is a hormone that is made by the pancreas and helps move sugar or glucose through the body. When the body resists the insulin it causes the pancreas to produce extra insulin. After some time the body may stop making enough insulin. The sugar in the body is needed because it is the main energy source, and that is why insulin levels should be normal at all times. A child with insulin resistance has trouble getting the energy her body needs.
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Signs
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There are signs your child may have insulin resistance. He may feel hungry all the time. He may complain he never feels full. Children may also feel tired and sluggish when they have insulin resistance.
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Diagnosis
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When insulin resistance is suspected a doctor will probably order blood work to be done and will take a family history of your child. The child will be asked to fast before the blood test. That means no eating after midnight the day of having the blood drawn. The blood will be drawn for a blood sugar glucose test. This test will show if there is a problem with the blood sugar insulin levels in the body. The blood sugar glucose test will determine if your child has insulin resistance.
Causes
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There are many causes why a child might have insulin resistance. Many times a child is born with it. Sometimes it is genetic, and that is one of the reasons a doctor takes a family history to diagnosis it. It is also found that children with childhood obesity and diabetes may be more prone to having insulin resistance.
Treating
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Insulin resistance in children can be treated. One of the first things that can help children with insulin resistance is to change her diet. It is helpful to visit a nutritionist who can help improve eating habits for a child with insulin resistance. A child should exercise more to help balance the sugars in her body. Some children will also be given medications to help their insulin resistance.
Warnings
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Children with insulin resistance should make sure they keep up with their treatment plan. If insulin resistance is not treated, it can lead to diabetes. Most children will gain weight when they have insulin resistance. It can also lead to cardiovascular issues like heart attack and stroke, breast cancer, sleep apnea, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
References
- Photo Credit "bring it back to nature" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Fabian Bromann (Fabian Bromann) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
