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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffType 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin. Exactly why this happens is unknown, although excess weight and inactivity seem to be important factors.
Insulin: The key for sugar
Insulin is a hormone that comes from the pancreas, a gland located just behind the stomach. When your child eats, the pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream. As insulin circulates, it acts like a key by unlocking microscopic doors that allow sugar to enter your child's cells. Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in your child's bloodstream. As your child's blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from the pancreas.
Glucose: The energy source
Glucose — sugar — is a main source of energy for the cells that make up muscles and other tissues. Glucose comes from two major sources: the food your child eats and your child's liver. During digestion, sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. Normally, sugar then enters cells with the help of insulin.
Liver: Production and storage
The liver acts as a glucose storage and manufacturing center. When your child's insulin levels are low — when your child hasn't eaten in a while, for example — the liver releases the stored glucose to keep your child's glucose level within a normal range.
In type 2 diabetes, this process works improperly. Instead of moving into your child's cells, sugar builds up in his or her bloodstream. This occurs when your child's pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or your child's cells become resistant to the action of insulin.
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- Am I at risk for type 2 diabetes? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/pubs/riskfortype2/. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2008. Alexandria, Va.: American Diabetes Association. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/vol31/Supplement_1/. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
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- Kidney disease (nephropathy). American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/kidney-disease.jsp. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your eyes healthy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_eyes/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
- Why taking care of your diabetes is important. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. http://www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/care.htm. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your feet and skin healthy. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_feet/. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Estimated Average Glucose, eAG. American Diabetes Association. http://professional.diabetes.org/GlucoseCalculator.aspx. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
- Laffel L, et al. Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
- The basics of insulin. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/utils/printthispage.jsp?PageID=TYPE1DIABETES3_263601. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
- Hypoglycemia. American Diabetes Association. http://tracker.diabetes.org/hypoglycemia.php. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Hyperglycemia. American Diabetes Association. http://tracker.diabetes.org/hyperglycemia.php. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Ketoacidosis. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/ketoacidosis.jsp. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
- International Expert Committee. International Expert Committee report on the role of the A1C assay in the diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009;32:1.
