Diabetes in Children

Healthy Living
Children

Diabetes Mellitus, commonly known as Diabetes is a health disorder in which the body has trouble regulating its blood sugar levels. Diabetes can be categorised as type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune disease also known as juvenile diabetes) and type 2 diabetes (a metabolic disorder also known as adult onset diabetes).

Though generally it is type 1 diabetes that affects children, teenagers and young adults, the number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is increasing dramatically. According to Health Canada, the increase in number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is a direct consequence of soaring obesity rates among children.

Balanced diet, healthy lifestyle and regular exercise are the key factors in managing, preventing and if possible, curing diabetes.

For parents of children with diabetes, life can be pretty challenging. An overwhelming sense of anxiety, stress and guilt usually follow after parents discover that their child has diabetes; as they may sometimes feel responsible for it. Besides, life would no longer be convenient as they would like it to be. The parent would now need to ensure that the child is given his/her proper food, timely insulin shots, and would also need to handle the child’s mood swings etc.

Parents in such cases need to take outside help such as approaching diabetic care sponsors or diabetes support groups.

In Canada, one can contact associations such the Canadian Diabetes Association .This association offers programmes and services to help parents of diabetics learn more about the condition and get in touch with others who go through similar experiences.

Parents can find encouragement and help from their local support groups through such associations. They can find the help they need by networking with these groups and even reach out to help someone going through similar experiences.