Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food “especially sugar” into energy. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy.
Types of diabetes
There are two types of diabetes in kids and teens; type 1 and type 2 another type is prediabetes; it is that the sugar level in the blood system is high but not too high to be diagnosed as diabetic, this type could be temporary, and is mostly linked to obese kids.
Type 1 which is the most common metabolic disorder in children and adolescents, affects children and teenagers, however, developed from purely medical conditions. Although it can be developed at any age, diabetes can have peak age periods from children of age 4-6 years.
Type 2 diabetes is also called (adult on-set) as it is most common found in adults. It has now become common in children and teens too; this type can be developed gradually with no noticeable signs; type 2 diabetes is more closely tied to obesity and unhealthy conditions. Between 2014 and 2015, about 24 % of new diabetes diagnoses in children were type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms can vary from one type to another. Symptoms like fatigue, frequent urination, increased thirst, or vision changes, are clear and known signs of diabetes, other signs like constant hunger and weight loss are also common! In type 1 symptoms could develop quickly, over a period of weeks, whilst type 2 would not be that fast, nor vivid. Amongst children, symptoms can be tricky and are not always easy to spot. In most cases, diabetes develops gradually, making the symptoms difficult to detect. Many people do not feel any symptoms, in other cases, children may not show any; but some unrecognized symptoms could be such as stomach aches, headaches, and behavioral problems.
Diabetes can be caused by numerous factors such as race and ethnicity, family history, medical problems, or as simple as inactivity/lack of exercise. Although there is no cure for diabetes, luckily, diabetes can be managed and prevented by staying healthy and athletic, taking the prescribed oral medications, and sustained insulin shots. In most cases siblings of a child with type 1 diabetes have an approximately 5% risk of developing the disease; in children of a parent with type 1 diabetes, the risk lies between 5% and 7%.
Tips for parents!
Children with diabetes can go on and live a normal life, and as your kid becomes more independent, they can start taking insulin shots on their own but under adult supervision.
- Regular blood sugar test
- Sustained insulin shots
-Too much insulin can cause hypoglycemia; trembling, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and loss of consciousness.
-Too little insulin can cause increased urination, thirst, and even weight loss.
- Healthy food
- Exercise
- Maintain cholesterol level
- Practice healthy habits
- Create a DMMP (diabetes medical management plan)
Tips for teachers!
- Check your students DMMP diabetes medical management plan (The DMMP works with your child’s daily needs and routine. Make sure to update it every year or more often if treatment changes.)
- Practice healthy habits.
- Allow unrestricted water and bathroom breaks.
- During exercise time Carry water, snacks, and medical supplies, preferably allow your student to have a snack before exercise or activity time.