Childhood Diabetes Article

Common Treatments for Type 1 Diabetes

Unfortunately, many children suffer from type 1 diabetes, and it will follow them all of the days of their lives, from day of diagnosis, until the day they die. Currently, there is no miracle drug or vaccine that can cure this disease, but we are learning new methods of treating it more effectively. Those who do have type 1 diabetes usually live shorter lives, but there are things that can be done to make it more manageable.

It can be difficult both for the child and the parents when the diagnosis of type1 diabetes is first made. Often the first signs may go unnoticed, more frequent trips to the bathroom, and drinking more than usual. The next symptoms that usually appear are huge appetite increases, which is often mistaken as a growth spurt, and weight loss. For many parents, the often rapid weight loss is their first sign that there may be a problem with their child.

Accompanying the rapid weight loss, the child may suffer from extreme fatigue, and no longer be as active or playful as he/she once was. Vision may also be affected, with the child often complaining of fuzzy or blurry vision.

Once type 1 diabetes has been diagnosed, both the children and their parents have to learn how to control the disease. It can be difficult, especially with young children, but controlling the disease is a crucial step in maintaining their health and their future. The first thing to learn is how to monitor the amount of sugar in the child’s bloodstream. This should be done several times a day, gradually decreasing once the disease seems to be under control. If the disease proves difficult to control through diet changes and increased exercise, then insulin may be prescribed. Insulin can be given either by injection, or possibly through an insulin pump.

Eating any kind of food, regardless of what, can increase your blood sugar. If you test yourself too soon after a meal, it will likely always read higher than normal. You should wait and test about two hours after you eat, to get a more accurate reading.

Blood sugars can be lowered by moderate exercise. Try walking, biking, roller skating, swimming, or jogging to increase your overall health and fitness levels and to get your blood sugar down to an appropriate level. Chances are that when you are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, your doctor will tell you what exercises you can do, and stress the importance of doing them on a daily basis.

The are many other factors besides food and exercise that affect your blood sugar levels, such as illness, infection, alcohol consumption, etc. By careful monitoring, you will learn what triggers your levels to rise, so that you will know what you need to do in order to treat yourself. Children must be taught to do this as well, since they will not always have their parents around to remind them to check their levels, or to exercise today. Parents of course should ensure that it gets done, and maybe even help with the process at first, but should gradually step back and let the child learn to handle his care on his own. Many hospitals offer diabetes education classes tailored to children who have just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. These classes will teach your child how to monitor his blood sugar levels, and why it is so important to do so. Your child will also learn about eating healthy foods, and exercising on a regular basis, as well as insulin use, if prescribed.

It can be extremely difficult for anyone, child or adult, to come to terms with type 1 diabetes, and learning how to control it, but it is especially hard for children and their parents.