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.
Insulin is necessary, therefore children with type I diabetes must take insulin injections or use insulin pump therapy. The insulin delivered into the blood controls the glucose levels of prevents the blood glucose levels from rising dangerously high.
Once a child is diagnosed with diabetes, the parents must educate themselves on how to manage the diabetes and help their children live a healthy lifestyle. Many factors affect children and diabetes.
Parents of newly diagnosed children may feel overwhelmed by all they have to learn. Managing type I diabetes may involve following a diabetic diet, calculating the appropriate amounts of insulin to be administered, and preparing the child to be able to manage the diabetes when the child is away from home.
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.
If the child attends school, the parents should discuss the child’s diabetes management with the school nurse. Parents should know the general practices of the school as well is what the school nurse will do if there is a diabetic emergency.
The parents should feel free to ask their physician questions about their child’s health or diabetes management. Parents can begin to feel more confident and less overwhelmed as they become better educated about diabetes management.
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