How To Raise A Child With Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease. When properly controlled, it does not necessarily reduce the quality of life of those who suffer from it. Children with diabetes therefore require specific care, but they can still live a normal life.

Today we will explain a little more about this disease. We will also give you some advice on how to raise a child with this condition.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that develops during childhood. It affects the cells that produce insulin. In total, it represents between 10% of cases of diabetes, and it has a high incidence between 10 and 15 years.

In those with type 1 diabetes , the pancreas loses the ability to make insulin because the immune system itself attacks and destroys the beta cells that synthesize and secrete insulin.

Insulin is a peptide hormone that regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein by promoting the absorption of carbohydrates. This includes glucose from the blood into the liver, fat and skeletal muscle cells that are needed to produce energy. Therefore, it is important to counteract this deficit.

The underlying cause of type 1 diabetes is uncertain. However, some believe that factors such as genetics and certain viruses contribute to the symptoms. Although the onset of type 1 diabetes is usually in childhood or adolescence, it can also begin in adulthood.

Advice for raising children with type 1 diabetes

Furthermore, we present a number of general recommendations, so that both your family and the affected child can cope with type 1 diabetes so that the disease does not affect the quality of life.

1. Increase your knowledge about type 1 diabetes

If your child is diagnosed, it is very important that you know the basic aspects of the disease. It is also important that you help them carry out a normalization process in their immediate environment. This helps them adapt to their new lifestyle.

Family members and teachers must be familiar with the procedure for action and participate in the medical and emotional care of the child.

2. Understand your dietary guidelines

Food is the key in the treatment of children with type 1 diabetes. Therefore, it is very important that both the home and the school have control and follow specific routines.

The most important things to consider are:

• A balanced diet: The child should know how to control the amount of fat they eat, as it reduces the effect of insulin and leads to obesity. For example, fruits and vegetables, as well as high-quality proteins and complex carbohydrates, should be part of all meals.

• They should limit the consumption of carbohydrates. It is important to limit your intake to avoid sudden increases in blood sugar. Foods that must be avoided due to the high content of sugar include cakes, juices, syrups, and all kinds of ready-made junk food.
• If the school has a canteen, parents should request weekly menus. In addition, if the child is very small, teachers need to know that these children need to eat a second breakfast or lunch so that blood sugar levels remain stable.

Use pharmacological treatment

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

Try to manage this in a relaxed environment and preferably at home. Teachers need to know the procedure in case the child is too small and needs help with the injections.

4. Control of blood sugar

Children with diabetes need to be checked regularly, through a small prick on their index finger, to know what their blood sugar level is. At school, they should be able to do it in class or anywhere else where they feel comfortable doing it.

5. Training

Children with diabetes can perform the same physical activities as other children their age, as long as they follow a set of guidelines:

• They should measure their blood sugar before and after exercise to adjust their meals, if necessary.
• Parents or teachers who are present during the child’s physical activities should have quick access to foods rich in carbohydrates. This in case of a sudden drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Summary

The current tools used in the control of type 1 diabetes allow a good quality of life for those who are afflicted. In the case of children, all adults around the child should know the characteristics of the disease. This is to be able to lead and help them with proper control of blood sugar.