Addressing the Psychological Effects of Diabetes, Particularly Among Women

When we talk about the toll diabetes takes on an individual, much of the discussion is understandably centered on the body: keeping track of one’s blood sugar, taking your insulin, eating a healthy diet, etc. But diabetes also takes a severe toll on an individual’s mental state, and it’s a problem that often does not get enough attention, particularly since the disease has more pronounced psychological effects on women than men.

A recent study conducted by WebMD and Rite Aid discovered that half the women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes felt
“overwhelmed” by the prognosis and the what is required to keep their blood sugars in check. This may seem like an intuitively obvious finding – living with diabetes, after all, can be very disruptive and emotionally taxing – but not when you consider that only a third of men felt the same way.

So why are women more emotional overwhelmed with their diagnoses compared to men? For starters, some theorize it has to do with how women nowadays have to handle many roles – worker, homemaker, and caretaker. Yet at the same time, the study found that only a third of surveyed women exercise, and 55 percent still eat salty and sweet foods, contributing to the idea that healthy lifestyle choices could help reduce the feeling of helplessness many feel.

Ultimately, regardless of one’s gender, any diabetic must be aware of their mental state and keep an open dialogue with their doctors about any feelings of anxiety, frustration, and depression.

Diabetes in the Very Young

Fortunately the same diabetes symptoms that occur in older children and adults are the ones that are present in children too young to speak or describe why they aren’t feeling well. This is why as parents we need to be vigilant about any symptom that may trigger a red flag.

If your child has an inordinate amount of wet diapers or a diaper rash that just doesn’t seem to go away with standard treatment and keeps recurring, if your child is more hungry or thirsty than usual or seems more fussy and unable to settle themselves and if they sleep more than they usually do, these could be diabetes symptoms.

By themselves they seem innocuous; however, those parents who take their child to the doctor just be on the safe side will be very thankful that they did. Your pediatrician will have your child see a pediatric endocrinologist.

There are many diabetes supplies to help manage your child’s diabetes. The most important will be the glucose monitor to help you identify when your child’s blood sugars become too high or too low. There are different types of monitors and meters so you will have to find one that works best for your child.

Your job is going to be to find that balance each day, before and after every meal. Enlist the help of a nutritionist to find meals and snacks with a low glycemic index. Together with your pediatrician and your endocrinologist, you will be formulating a team of support to help with your child’s treatments and finding new ways to incorporate these changes into your family’s new way of life.

Coping with Diabetes in School

With the first day of school around the corner many parents and children alike are getting excited. Seeing friends whom they haven’t seen all summer, starting up sports, and of course, getting back into the routine of schoolwork. While the first day of school for many involves what to wear and what color back pack to buy, some children have to deal with a far more serious issue: how to cope with their diabetes in an environment away from their parent.

Working together with your family doctor and the staff at school is very important. This team, which includes the school nurse should be apprised on all the information necessary and be able to identify any emergency and who they need to contact in the event of such an emergency. Older students should be allowed to handle their own diabetes care whenever they need to – whether in the cafeteria or the classroom.

All the education and training each member of your child’s “team” receives helps to provide a safe environment while your child is in school. A parent can rest assured that all precautions are in place and can then focus on a successful school year!

Next Page »