Managing a Teenager with Diabetes
February 19, 2012 by Diabetes Condition
Filed under Living with Diabetes
Many teens believe they are invincible. This is why many of the warnings parents instill in them while they are children become a kind of white noise in their heads the moment they become teenagers and strive for their independence.
We warn them of the dangers of drugs, alcohol and cigarette smoke. We have discussions about healthy eating, exercise and the need to get plenty of sleep. We hope these lessons and values remain with them throughout their life. And, while, for the majority of kids they do, they all have to go through the teen years which for some, test a parent’s patience but for others can induce real fears.
A child with childhood diabetes spends their entire life watching their parents protect them, diligently testing their blood sugar, providing a healthy diet and giving them their diabetes medication. They understand only too well what it takes to manage their diabetes. So, it seems unacceptable that when they reach the teen years that this is something they begin to neglect.
It is not uncommon for teens to rebel against their treatment for diabetes. They may eat the wrong foods, become lax in monitoring their glucose levels and not report to you the results. This can be extremely scary. They understand that they are not like other teens, who can binge on junk food with no repercussions. Their neglectful behavior can be life-threatening; however, some teens are desperate to fit in, they don’t care of the cost.
It is highly recommended that you make sure your child, at a very young age, is in a support group with other children with Type 1 diabetes. There are camps they can attend where they can meet other children and know that they are not alone. If you notice severe withdrawal and a change in moods or habits, it is extremely urgent that you seek professional help.
Is Your Diabetic Child Falling Behind in School? It May Be Due to Lack of Sleep
February 18, 2012 by Diabetes Condition
Filed under Living with Diabetes
Recent research has revealed another critical component in effectively treating childhood diabetes: the role that sleep plays in a child’s blood sugar levels and overall health.
Researchers found that children with type 1 diabetes have greater difficulty getting a good night’s sleep compared to those without diabetes. This lack of quality sleep, in turn, makes it difficult for children to control their blood sugars. And this lack of control adversely affects a child’s performance in school, creating what is, in essence, a vicious cycle.
The fact that children – diabetic or otherwise – are failing to get a good night’s sleep isn’t news, of course. Highly active children, who shuttle from sports practice to school to karate lessons often have trouble getting to sleep at a reasonable hour. Similarly, those who spend a two or more hours in front of a television or computer find themselves over-stimulated at night and unable to sleep.
All of which further underscores the importance of a good night’s sleep for diabetic children. Parents should regulate their activities after dinner and allow for “down time” without over-stimulating the brain, monitor the child’s level of fatigue during the school day, and stay in close contact with their doctor.
Addressing the Psychological Effects of Diabetes, Particularly Among Women
January 2, 2012 by Diabetes Condition
Filed under Living with Diabetes
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.
