Living With Diabetes

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder. It is concerned with how the body uses glucose, a sugar that is the body's main source of fuel. Your body needs glucose to keep running. Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes. Here, the beta cells of pancreas are unable to make insulin. The body can still get glucose from food. But, the glucose can't get into the cells, where it's needed. Glucose stays in the blood leading to high blood sugar level. As a result, you have to take insulin through regular shots or an insulin pump.

As children and teens are most affected with type 1 diabetes, they need to monitor and control their glucose levels. Apart from that they need to take the following precautions in cohabiting with diabetes:

1) You can check blood sugar levels a few times a day by testing a small blood sample.

2) To give insulin injections, you have to have an adult, or use an insulin pump. Make sure you take them at the right time.

3) You must eat a balanced, healthy diet and pay special attention to the amounts of sugars and starches in the food you eat and the timing of your meals.

4) Take some proper exercise to help control blood sugar levels and avoid some of the long-term health problems that diabetes can cause, like heart diseases.

5) You should work closely with your doctor and diabetes health care team to help achieve the best possible control over your type 1 diabetes and be monitored for signs of diabetes complications and other health problems, if any.

Living with type 1 diabetes is a challenge, no matter what a child's age is. Young children will not understand the reason behind why blood samples and insulin injections are necessary. They may be scared, angry, and un co-operative. As an adult, it is your duty to make the child comfortable with the whole thing.

The problem with teenagers is a little different. Influenced by their peers, teens may want to live a more spontaneous lifestyle than what their type 1 diabetes allows. Even after following their treatment schedule, teens with diabetes may find it hard to control their impulses thus leading to frustration due to the natural changes occurring in their body. A child with diabetes may seem overwhelming at times. Diabetes care team is not only a constant support for dealing with blood sugar control, but also for supporting and helping you and your child cope and live with diabetes.