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Always remember that
you are your child's superhero.
Hearing that your child has diabetes can be a shock. But after that shock wears off, know that there are plenty of things you can do to help along the way. Sure, daily life with diabetes can be a challenge, but it's a challenge you and your child can meet head-on.
With preparation and planning, you can get back to daily life and resume your routine activities. You can help make physical activity part of every day. You can create a balanced eating plan for your loved one- one that everyone can live with and thrive on. Throughout it all, know that diabetes can not keep your loved one from doing whatever they want or achieving their highest goals. There are Olympic athletes with diabetes, as well as professional football players, politicians, actors, rock stars, and CEOs. So, take a deep breath. You can do so much to make sure that your child is thriving as they manage their diabetes with Quop.
So, what is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes high blood sugar levels. Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce or effectively use insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the body that moves sugar from the bloodstream into cells to use as fuel.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) occurs when the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing cells and completely stops producing insulin. It is not clear what causes the immune system to act this way. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin administration to control blood sugar.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the most common form of diabetes.
It occurs when the body is not able to produce enough insulin or cells develop insulin resistance. type 2 diabetes can be the result of a combination of genetics, poor diet, lack of exercise, or obesity.
The process does not produce insulin and glucose builds up in the bloodstream.
The process produces little insulin or there is insulin resistance. Glucose can not enter the cells and builds up in the bloodstream
Treatments
Currently, there is no cure for diabetes yet, but there are treatments to help manage diabetes. These treatments include:
Healthy Sleep Cycle
At least 7 hours of sleep means more next-day BGs in range, less insulin, more energy, better mood, and less hunger. Also invest in a better mattress and pillow and do not settle for uncomfortable sleep.
Controlled Regular Exercise
Choose activities your kids finds fun and actually want to do. Be a role model. Your actions give your kids a clear message about what’s important to you. As your kids learn a new skill, they’ll notice their own progress and boost their self-esteem. Be sure to recognize their efforts.
Balanced Diet
Choose breakfast foods high in protein, fat, and fiber. Fill half of your plate with vegetables. Check BG 2-3 hours after meals (or wear CGM) to learn what foods work and make course corrections
Precision Insulin Injection
Monitor blood sugar values to understand how your child is doing. Use a blood glucose monitor or a continuous glucose monitor. A rise in glucose levels could be a sign that your child is not getting enough insulin. Take insulin, as prescribed.
Managing Emotions
When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, parents might spend a lot of time thinking about the disease's physical effects, but emotional issues also come with a diabetes diagnosis.
Parents often through a grieving process when they find out that their child has diabetes. It can be hard to come to terms with the idea that a child has a chronic condition that will need to be managed for the rest of their life. It's normal to feel grief and sadness. Many parents also feel guilt and wonder if they could have prevented the disease somehow. It's also common to worry about recognizing the symptoms of diabetes problems and getting the right medical help. What can you do to cope with your feelings? First, get answers to your questions from the healthcare professionals caring for your child. Also, talking to other parents in the same situation may make you feel better.
How do kids with
diabetes feel?
Some emotions that children might feel after learning that they have diabetes are:
- Isolation
or feeling different from friends
- Denial
or pretending that they do not have diabetes
- Depression
sadness, and hopelessness
- Guilt
or feeling like they caused problems for parents, siblings, and teachers
- Anger
or frustration with the disease and its treatment
- Fear and Anxiety
or long term health problems
- Embarrassment
about the extra attention they are getting
1. Educate Yourself
Diabetes education is critical.
The more knowledge you have, the more control you have, and that should make you feel better.
2. Assemble Your Team
Make sure that everyone in the family knows how to check blood sugar and administer insulin, both for your child's safety and so that the burden of treatment does not rest on just one parent.
4. Know That It Should
Get Easier
Parents are very scared in the beginning, but you need to know right away that you can handle the situation. Parents do it every day. You will be surprised at how well you can do this.
5. Tend to Your
Emotional Health
Consider adding a counselor and social worker to the diabetes management team to help you work through feelings of anger, depression, or fatigue. You can also attend a support group meeting.
3. Set an Example
Particularly where injections are concerned, it helps to remember that how you approach treatment may set the tone for how your child receives it.
You are not alone in
this fight.
Do not hesitate to reach out to us or any of these organizations if you need help managing diabetes. Sometimes talking to those who are facing similar struggles can help boost your confidence in dealing with your child's diabetes. Remember that you are not alone in the blue circle.
- International Diabetes Foundation
- American Diabetes Associations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes
- National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)
Within the Quop Community, you can send your questions to healthy life support specialists, make video calls, create reminders for your activities during the day, participate in the activities and events determined for you, check your measurement values, and make a fresh start for you and your child.
The Newly Diagnosed
Here are some strategies to help see you through!Here are some strategies to help see you through!
Quop Community
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