Physical Examination for Type 2 Diabetes in a Child
If your doctor suspects that your child has diabetes, he or she will do a complete physical examination. The doctor will:
- Measure your child's height and weight and compare them with what is considered normal for the child's age. The doctor also may calculate your child's body mass index (BMI).
- Check your child's blood pressure.
- Check your child's eyes.
- Feel the neck when your child swallows, to check the
thyroid gland
. Thyroid problems sometimes develop in people with
diabetes. - Listen to your child's heart and lung sounds.
- Check your child's skin for signs of dehydration, such as loose skin, a dry mouth, or sunken eyeballs. The doctor also will check for a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans.
- Examine your child's feet for sores or injuries.
- Examine your child's nervous system by checking his or her reflexes and by checking how he or she feels touch.
- Examine the abdomen for signs of an enlarged liver.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Is This Normal? Get the Facts Fast!
Answer:
0-69
70-130
131+
Your level is currently
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Did You Know Your Lifestyle Choices
Affect Your Blood Sugar?
Use the Blood Glucose Tracker to monitor
how well you manage your blood sugar over time.
This tool is not intended for women who are pregnant.
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