Working day and night to provide a good quality of life to our children and shower them with all sorts of comforts is a part of being parents. But with the increase in quality of life, there has been a concerning amount of increase in diseases and disorders found in children from a very young age, childhood diabetes being one of them. While many factors, out of our control, can be the reason behind this condition, improper diet and lack of physical activity are the primary causes of diabetes in children, which are in our control.
Below is a pediatric diabetes management guide that will help you understand the daily nutrient needs of children and the importance of regular physical movement, which are the essentials for controlling childhood diabetes before it’s too late.
What is Childhood Diabetes?
Childhood diabetes is a long-term condition in which a child’s body has a hard time regulating the blood sugar levels, also called glucose, which is an essential source of energy. To use glucose properly, the body needs insulin. In children with diabetes, there is either insufficient insulin or insulin works ineffectively, which leads to high sugar levels that impact a child’s growth and health. There are two types of diabetes commonly found in children:
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
Type 1 diabetes in children is an autoimmune condition in which the child’s body mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, which results in the body producing too little or no insulin. It can develop suddenly and is not caused by lifestyle factors or diet, and requires life-long insulin therapy.
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)
Type 2 diabetes is becoming common in children at an alarming rate. It occurs when the body does not use insulin properly. This type of diabetes develops gradually and is caused by lifestyle factors and an insufficient diet; it can be managed with regular physical activities and healthy eating habits.
Common Symptoms of Childhood Diabetes
Noticing the common symptoms given below in your child, consistently over a period of time, point towards childhood diabetes and require an immediate visit to a pediatric endocrinologist.
- Increased thirst and hunger
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing cuts or wounds
How to Manage Diabetes in Children?
Childhood diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2, requires careful management to make sure the child grows healthily and energetically. It is necessary to strike a perfect balance between emotional support, medical treatment, physical activity and a healthy diet for effective management. Some of the effective ways to manage diabetes in children are:
Constant Blood Sugar Monitoring
Frequently checking blood sugar levels through monitoring devices like Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) before and after a new activity for real-time glucose level tracking is crucial to identify patterns and see how your child’s body reacts to specific activities and to adjust meals and activities accordingly.
Diabetes-Friendly Diet
Limiting snacks and drinks that include processed sugars and having a healthy diet filled with nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals, along with foods that release sugar slowly, like whole grains and fruits, at a fixed time, is necessary to maintain steady blood sugar levels.
Regular Physical Activities
Ensure that your child does some sort of physical activity like cycling, walking, swimming or any team sport such as basketball or cricket, at least 60 minutes, every day. Make sure to monitor blood sugar before and after the activities and carry quick sugar sources like juices or glucose tablets, just in case.
Proper Medical Checkups
There should be regular checkups scheduled with a pediatric endocrinologist for children with diabetes to monitor their height and weight and adjust medications based on growth. It is also very crucial for early detection of any serious issues related to the eye, kidney or heart to avoid any long-term and serious complications.
Creating a Routine
Building a daily routine helps greatly in managing children suffering from diabetes. Having a planned and consistent flow to the day makes diabetes management predictable and more manageable. Prioritizing your children’s input and including them in the process is essential to avoid them thinking of the routine as restrictive rather than helpful.
Education and Awareness
Empowering your children by educating them about diabetes promotes independence and mitigates the risks. Teaching them how to monitor their sugar levels, about appropriate portion sizes to prevent a rise in sugar levels, and the importance of physical exercise will result in healthy outcomes faster than usual.
Providing Emotional Support
Battling a condition like this at a young age can take a mental toll on children, having limitations that other children don’t, and feeling different from the rest are some common problems children face. It is necessary to make them feel supported and encourage open discussions about feelings, fears and frustrations, and to celebrate their efforts along with their achievements.
Final Thoughts: Diabetes is Manageable With Proper Care
Seeing your children suffer is not easy for any parent, but the way we handle things and the way we support them through these times is entirely in our control. That’s why it is advised to properly learn about the condition first so that you have the required knowledge about the symptoms, the solutions and when the situation demands medical attention. It allows you to take necessary measures for your child’s health and growth.
For medical consultation or treatment, contact the best pediatric endocrinologist in Dubai who specializes in short stature evaluation in children, vitamin D deficiency in children and growth hormone treatment for children.