Diabetes can be a daunting illness for adults, but you can imagine the kind of stress and frustration that comes along with the development of diabetes in your children.
From trying out various treatment plans, looking for the best doctors available, spending thousands of dollars on medical bills to trying to find any and all ways to get your children to consume the barrage of medications that comes along with it.
Diabetes Treatment In Children
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The onset of diabetes among children can occur due to a variety of factors such as being overweight, having a low level of inactivity throughout the day, a history of diabetes within the family, pre-term birth, et cetera.
This can be an extremely testing period not only for the children but mainly for the parents. Scouring for treatments only to come up with nothing can often be extremely discouraging.
So here is a comprehensive guide as to how you can alleviate some of the symptoms that are a by-product of diabetes among children.
Insulin Therapy
For the kids who suffer from type 1 diabetes, taking insulin is a primary necessity in the treatment plan. It works miraculously in terms of keeping their blood sugar level in check.
Insulin cannot be taken as a pill since the digestive juices in your body can easily break it down. It has to be injected into your child’s body either through an insulin pump or a needle.
Most often, children need a maximum of 2 shots to keep their blood sugar levels normal. That being said, the kind of insulin that needs to be used and the number of injections will depend on the treatment plan of the respective child.
There are various types of insulin that are available, such as rapid-acting insulin, short-acting insulin, intermediate-acting insulin, long-acting insulin, and ultra-long-acting insulin.
Monitoring Of Blood Sugar Levels
Regularly checking your child’s blood sugar level is a primal need when they suffer from an early onset of diabetes. This is impertinent as it reduces the risk of the long-term complications associated with diabetes.
According to your treatment plan, you will have to monitor their blood sugar levels to determine the insulin plan’s efficacy. Usually, your children are required to use a blood glucose meter to monitor their blood sugar levels at least 4 times a day.
This is the only way to ensure that your child’s blood sugar level remains within the target, especially as your child grows and undergoes various changes. While some monitors just show your child’s blood sugar level at all times on the screen, others could require running the receiver of the meter over the sensor.
Eating Healthy
Consuming healthy foods and incorporating a balanced diet are prerequisites for not only treating diabetes but even for maintaining your child’s overall health.
We all have memories of having to finish all the vegetables on our plate despite our protests or having to drink all the milk from our glass even if we did not like it. But as we grow, we start to realize the importance of it all.
Take the same approach with your child too. They may not realize the importance of healthy eating at this age and may be lured in by the advertisements of junk food, however, as a parent you could find ways to make eating healthy an enjoyable process.
Restrict your child’s consumption of foods that are high in trans fats and sugar, and instead switch to whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Consult a dietician to figure out what meal plan best suits your child’s medical requirements so that you can monitor their carbohydrate intake during insulin doses.
Get Plenty Of Physical Activity
Exercise is a must in a child’s life, especially if they are combatting type 1 diabetes. Encourage your child to partake in various physical activities such as running, cycling, walking, and dancing, or even group sports. Try to exercise with them so that they can feel even more motivated.
However, make sure to monitor your child’s blood sugar levels after they engage in these exercises to figure out how they respond. You might even be required to alter their insulin doses and food consumption in order to make up for this physical movement.
Overall, while diabetes can be extremely stressful for your children, you can ensure that they follow a healthy lifestyle and take their medications on time in order to help them get better. Steer them away from any unhealthy choices, and incorporate a healthier lifestyle into your whole family’s routine in order to motivate them to do the same.
Try not to stress yourself out, as this, in turn, would affect them as well. Just trust the process, and walk your child through the whole ordeal, believing that better times are around the corner.
Lacey Arlo is a wellness expert and a nutritionist who aims to help members with health and diet queries. Lacey Arlo has worked with junior, national, and Olympic-level athletes by providing them with customizing programmers, supplement strategies, and support during their travel and competition. From weight management, PCOD, thyroid-related weight loss, and nutrition for children to diets for pregnant and diets for senior citizens, She offers nutrition-aided solutions for different age groups with consideration for each person’s unique health demands.