If a child has recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the family needs to learn the right care and establish new habits.
Life will change, but you will feel more comfortable with this “new normal” after a while.
While making adjustments, it’s comforting to know that this autoimmune disease is not limiting your child. “Kids with diabetes can do things that other kids can do,” says Andrea Petersen Hulke of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Basic care
Education sessions offered at the hospital help families and caregivers of children understand how to manage the disease.
The main change that families face is the need to learn to monitor and adjust blood glucose (called blood sugar) levels frequently. Blood glucose may need to be measured 10 to 12 times a day. How much insulin your child needs depends on meal times, types of foods, and activity levels.
Keeping blood glucose levels in a normal range may require some math skills. But with practice, it gets easier. Even if mistakes are made, you will know what to do when you understand the symptoms of how your child responds when blood sugar is too low or too high.
“At first, blood glucose numbers were hard to calculate, but now there are many tools to help,” says Lisa Sterling. Her daughter, now 17, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 11. Logs, instruments and online trackers will help families keep track of their blood sugar calculations.
Insulin can be introduced into a child’s body through a syringe (regular syringe or pen syringe) or a pump. Once the family understands the basics about diabetes, the doctor will usually start teaching the family how to inject insulin. An insulin pump is a small computer that pumps in a steady dose of insulin. The family still needs to monitor blood sugar levels to help the pump work properly. The family, doctor, and child will work together to decide which injection device to use.
Daily care
“Our goal is to control diabetes in the child’s daily life” rather than in other ways, says Jane Chiang of the American Diabetes Association.
You may have heard that people with type 1 diabetes have a restricted diet, but the reality is that they can eat what they want. people with type 1 diabetes can eat candy, but they need to monitor their blood sugar. “It’s not about moderation, it’s about calculation,” Halk said.
Exercise is also not restricted for people with type 1 diabetes. Children can play as much as they want, but blood sugar levels should be monitored before and after play. Carry snacks with you “just in case. This is a good way to help keep blood sugar normal.
Kids with type 1 diabetes can go to school just like any other child, except they need to be tested.
The key is that the condition needs to remain stable. “A child with type 1 diabetes should have the right to live a normal life,” Jane said. She also says that children can go to parties, spend the night at friends’ houses, participate in Halloween trick-or-treating, and go on school trips and play sports. Special attention should be paid when a child is sick, when blood sugar levels may change significantly.
Diabetes care when going out
“If your child is going out, it is more reassuring to have a plan in advance. A medical warning wristband or warning necklace should always be worn. Make sure your child’s caregiver understands the basics about diabetes care. Make a plan and communicate it to your child’s teachers, coaches, parents of friends, and other responsible caregivers,” says Lisa, who gives each of these people a notebook with abbreviated instructions for diabetes care and symptoms to watch for.
For kids with type 1 diabetes, “diabetes camp” is a great experience for a long trip away from home. The children are accompanied by trained medical staff and can spend time with other children who have the same disease. The kids can compare diet notes with each other, which makes them feel like they are not so “different”.
Transition to self-care
Transition to self-care
The transition to self-care depends a lot on the age at which the child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Children who are diagnosed at a very young age may be able to monitor and track their blood glucose by the time they start elementary school. Other children may need more help. It takes time to learn routine care and to understand how your body feels when your blood sugar is too high or too low.
There is no set age at which a child can manage their diabetes on their own. “Even teens can’t fully take care of themselves without parental support, such as needing help at night or when they’re sick,” Jane said.
The basic approach is to gradually involve the child in food choices, blood sugar monitoring, recognizing symptoms that arise and other care. This can prepare your child for going out.
Juvenile diabetes care
Adolescence is a difficult time for any teenager and is prone to rebellious behavior.1 Children with type 1 diabetes may present as noncompliant with diabetes self-care practices.
“Teens don’t like to be in control and are often negligent in their care,” Halk said. “But this disease is entirely about control.”
It’s not uncommon for children who had stable blood sugar levels in childhood to have unstable blood sugar levels in adolescence. With therapeutic lifestyle changes, observation and patience, most children can make it through adolescence unscathed.
Diabetes care in college
One day, a child will be away from his or her parents. It can be helpful for families to have a “transition plan” with their doctor (such as finding a new doctor in advance).
“It’s like driving. It’s true, teenagers are very likely to have accidents. But if parents are aware of it, they will be more cautious,” Jane said, “and practice regularly, and it will become easier.”