Raising Children With Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, which is most common in children and adolescents, accounts for 10% of diabetes cases in France. It currently affects 18 out of 100,000 children and adolescents.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease. If it is well controlled, it should not reduce the quality of life of those who suffer from it. However, children with diabetes require specific care.

In this article, we will explain what type 1 diabetes is. But also  give you tips for raising children with this condition.

What is type 1 diabetes?

It accounts for 10% of diabetes cases and its highest incidence is between 10 and 15 years. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas loses its ability to produce insulin because the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas.

This hormone is needed to allow glucose to enter cells for energy production, so countering its deficit is vitally important.

Currently, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes. Its treatment focuses on controlling blood sugar through the administration of insulin and a healthy lifestyle.

The exact causes of this disease are not known. However, it is believed that factors such as genetics and certain viruses can contribute to the onset of the disease.  Type 1 diabetes usually starts in childhood or pre-adolescence. However, it can also appear in adulthood.

Tips for raising children with type 1 diabetes

Here is a series of general recommendations for the family and the child to cope with diabetes. And so that it does not compromise their quality of life.

1. Knowledge of the disease

Once the child is diagnosed, it is very important that he or she knows the basic aspects of the disease and that we carry out a normalization process in his or her nearest environment, so that he or she adapts. and learn to live with it.

Family members and teachers should know the guidelines for action and participate in the pharmacological and emotional control of the child.

2. Dietary measures

Nutrition is the key to the treatment of children with diabetes and it is very important that, both at home and at school, the child is monitored and adhered to appropriate schedules. . The main recommendations to consider are as follows:

• Balanced diet : it is necessary to control the amount of fat ingested by the child, as this decreases the effect of insulin and promotes the onset of overweight. Fruits and vegetables as well as high quality proteins and complex carbohydrates should be included in all meals.
• Limited consumption of simple carbohydrates : it is essential to limit their consumption to avoid a rapid rise in blood sugar. These foods include added sugars, industrial breads, juices, honey or cookies.
• School feeding: teachers must provide parents with weekly menus. In addition, if the child is very young, educators should organize a second breakfast or lunch to keep the blood sugar level stable.

3. Control of pharmacological treatment

Children with type 1 diabetes need to inject insulin several times a day. Fast acting before each meal and slow acting once or twice a day.

We will try to give the medicine in a relaxed environment and preferably at home. Teachers should be aware of the procedure if the child is too young and needs help giving the injections.

4. Blood sugar control

Children with diabetes need regular exams, with a small prick in the index finger to know their blood sugar. At school, the child should be able to do this in class. Or somewhere he feels comfortable doing it.

6. Physical exercise

Children with diabetes can participate in the same physical activities as other children their age, as long as they follow a number of recommendations:

• Measurement of blood sugar before and after exercise to be able to adapt the diet if necessary.
• Parents or teachers present during physical activity should have early access to foods rich in carbohydrates in case of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

In summary…

Current type 1 diabetes management tools ensure a good quality of life for these patients. In the case of children, it is necessary to know the features of the disease on the part of parents and teachers. The goal is to ensure good blood sugar control.