Diabetes is the inability of the body’s natural insulin to control the glucose levels in the blood. The insulin fails to deliver glucose to the cells of the body for energy.
Type II diabetes occurs when the body use insulin is no longer effective in the metabolism of glucose. When a child gets diabetes, it is usually type I diabetes. In type I diabetes, the body does not produce any or enough insulin.
Because insulin is necessary for the metabolism of glucose, people who do not produce insulin must receive the insulin through injections or insulin pump therapy. The administered insulin decreases the amount of glucose in the blood and helps the body be able to use the glucose.
When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, the parents must educate themselves on how to help the child manage blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Children and diabetes management is affected by many factors.
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.
Even though there is a lot to learn about diabetes management, many parents find that it becomes less overwhelming with time. There are also many resources to help parents who may be struggling with managing their child’s diabetes.
Support groups for people with diabetes can often be found through hospitals. Many hospitals also have educational classes for people with diabetes and their families. Support groups and educational classes can provide a wealth of information as well as emotional support.
Articles containing general information about diabetes as well as articles specifically about children and diabetes can be found on the website of the American Diabetes Association. Through this website, parents can also request more information about diabetes. The website also has a section for children who have diabetes to help them learn about diabetes as well is give them an opportunity to interact with other children with 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.
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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