Children and Diabetes
Diabetes is characterized by the inability of the body's natural insulin to metabolize glucose in the blood. Without appropriate amount of effective in slowing, body's cells cannot make use of glucose for energy.
Some adults experience a decrease the effectiveness of their natural insulin which is referred to as type II diabetes. When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, it is usually type I diabetes. Type I diabetes refers to the body's failure to produce any or enough insulin.
If the body is not producing insulin, insulin must be administered by injection or with insulin pump therapy. With the accurate administration of insulin, the insulin prevents the blood sugar levels from rising dangerously high.
Parents with children recently diagnosed with diabetes must learn how to help the child control diabetes and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Parents must educate themselves on the factors that affect children and diabetes.
The initial information that must be learned about diabetes management can seem overwhelming. The parents are likely to receive many instructions on diabetes management including the administration of insulin. The physician may recommend that the parents meet with a dietitian.
Though there is a lot to learn about diabetes management, parents should keep in mind that it will become less overwhelming than merely part of the routine. There are many resources to help parents of children with diabetes.
Some hospitals have support groups and educational classes for people with diabetes. Support groups for diabetes can provide a wealth of information and emotional support.
The American Diabetes Association has a website that contains many articles about children and diabetes. Parents can find general information about diabetes and also information about parenting a child with diabetes. The website also has an area for children with diabetes to the old interact with others and learn more about diabetes.
Parents of school-age children with diabetes should discuss their child's diabetes management plan with the school nurse. Parents should know how the school nurse will handle a diabetic emergency if one were to occur while the child is in school.
Parents should not be afraid to ask for the physician questions about their child's health or diabetes management. By becoming well educated about diabetes management, parents of diabetic children and feel more confident and less overwhelmed about diabetes management.
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