Raising a type 1 diabetic child

Have you checked? Those are usually the first words of the day for parents who have children living with type 1 diabetes.

Image courtesy stock.xchnge

The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a child may come as a shock. However, there is nothing any parent could have done better to prevent a child from living with it.

What cause type 1 diabetes?

Unlike type 2 diabetes, T1D has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle – it is an auto-immune disease. It is estimated that there are now more than half a million children aged 14 and younger living with type 1 diabetes according to the 7^th IDF Diabetes Atlas.

According to Dr Ntsiki Molefe-Osman, Diabetes Medical Advisor at Lilly South Africa, T1D is a disorder of metabolism caused by the body’s immune system which attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.

“Children are not born with it, rather it develops over time and there is usually a genetic predisposition. In children, T1D presents commonly at around 14 years of age and younger. This means that T1D is a lifelong disease, it is serious, and managing it needs to be done diligently as poor control of the condition today will have lifelong repercussions. When a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, so is the entire family who all need to adapt to a new lifestyle.”

Managing the condition

“The importance of good glycaemic control can’t be emphasised enough,” says Dr Ntsiki Molefe-Osman. The basic 101 of managing and preventing the complications of T1D is careful daily management of blood glucose and sustaining tight glucose control as close to normal levels as possible.”

“Diabetes is a progressive disease, which left unchecked will cause organ damage. This has significant health repercussions for later on in life – from kidney failure, heart failure, blindness, nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy) and as a result loss of limbs. What you do for your diabetic child today and the responsibilities you teach your teen in managing T1D, will influence the quality of life they can expect to live later in life,” explains Dr Molefe-Osman.

Why do type 1 diabetics need insulin?

People living with T1D do not produce any insulin, so it needs to be replaced with insulin injections.

Insulin moves blood sugar into body tissues where it is used for energy. When there is no insulin, sugar builds up in the bloodstream. This is commonly referred to as high blood sugar, or hyperglycaemia – it is dangerous and has many side effects.

Fortunately, when the blood sugar is stabilised with insulin treatment, these symptoms go away.

It can be managed

While a diabetes diagnosis for your child may come as a shock, people with T1D can live full, active lives.

Family support is vital

Imagine the mountain that a child faces knowing that injections will be part of their daily routine. For a child, managing T1D takes courage and determination.

“Coping with, and learning to manage, a chronic illness like diabetes is a big job for a child or teen. It may also cause emotional and behavioural challenges and talking to a diabetes educator or psychologist can help immensely,” says Dr Molefe-Osman.

Work together to support and guide your child in seeing their treatment regime as a positive step towards a healthy life, and that, with the right approach, they can do whatever they want to do.

“It’s also important that family, friends, teachers and other people in your child’s network know of and understand the condition so they are alert to any symptoms or signs that their blood sugar is out of control and what to do to help them in an emergency situation.”

Create a routine that works

It takes discipline for parents and the child to manage the demanding diet, lifestyle and treatment regimen, so it’s essential to establish a routine that works.

“It’s not easy, but ultimately the outcome of how well your child’s diabetes is managed depends on you and the systems you put in place to support them,” says Dr Molefe-Osman. “Use the resources available, join support groups and engage with your healthcare providers and diabetes educators for guidance and support as this will have marked impact on your family’s sense of well-being and quality of life.”

“Establishing good habits early, providing a support structure and ensuring that your child understands why good control is important are vital. It’s the difference between your child managing their diabetes, or diabetes managing them,” says Dr Molefe-Osman

Sources: