A 14 year old girl named Pantera, began to have headaches and mood swings, which seemed to appear out of nowhere. She also had a dark circle around her neck but it never really bothered her. This dark circle is often seen as dirt, but it’s in fact a clear sign of type 2 diabetes.
The dark circle is linked to insulin problems which is a clear indicator of type 2 diabetes. This dark circle can also appear under the arms and groin.
Courtney Louper shared this story on Facebook as a warning to help other people identify signs of diabetes which at first can seem harmless.
If you are type 2 diabetic, your body does not use insulin correctly. This is known as insulin resistance. Your pancreas will first try to make extra insulin to make up for it but over time it isn’t able to keep up and will not be able to make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at a normal level.
As obesity rates are on the rise, type 2 diabetes is now extremely common in children. According to the latest available research:
- Roughly 1 in 11 people have diabetes in the U.S.
- More than 5000 youth were diagnosed with diabetes in both 2008 and 2009
- Approximately 208,000 Americans under the age of 20 are estimated to have diagnosed diabetes, approximately 0.25% of the population
Being overweight or having a family history of type 2 diabetes puts you at risk of becoming diabetic.
The most common symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes are as follows:
- excessive thirst
- fatigue
- blurry vision
- frequent or increased urination
- excessive hunger
- sores or cuts that won’t heal
Helpful tips to live a healthier lifestyle (whether diabetic or not)
Treating children for diabetes may be difficult, as a healthy diet and exercising is most important for this condition.
However, it is important that your child’s diet focuses on whole grains, fruits and vegetables which are low in fat and high in fibre. Reduce your child’s intake of sweets, refined carbohydrates and animal products and opt for low-glycemic index foods.
Regular exercise is important for everyone, but especially for those with type 2 diabetes. Exercise should be a part of your daily routine and it is much easier to get into it if you choose activities that you enjoy – be it swimming, walking or dancing.
If you are diabetic, be sure to get your doctor’s permission before starting any form of exercise.