Diabetes is a life threatening condition that affects millions of people across the world. According to Medical News Today more than 4 million people die every year due to complications from diabetes related issues. It affects people across the boards and nearly two hundred children are diagnosed with the condition daily. Many of the deaths occur in parts of the world that possess a lack of education and medical resources that offsets the effects of this epidemic problem. America is fortunate in this way because we have many resources available to help combat these issues and can help your child live a long and healthy life.
If you’re a parent of a child living with diabetes there are many things you can do to lower the stress of the constant vigilance necessary to combat this illness. One of the very first steps, which you’ve probably already taken, is to educate yourself on the causes on diabetes. The American Diabetes Association is a wonderful resource that offers a wealth of knowledge on this subject and has some really great advice and helpful tips.
One thing you should consider doing is talking to your child’s school to see what kind of food is offered for your their dietary restrictions. Here is a list of diet requirements that you can use as a basis for this dialogue. See if your child’s school will work with you on this. Often the foods that schools offer are not healthy and you may have to prepare you child’s daily meals. You might also want to raise awareness with your child’s teachers so they can help meet their special needs.
If your child lives with type 2 diabetes then they probably require the use of a continuous glucose meter to monitor the levels of the glucose in their blood. Using one of these devices is especially beneficial for older children or young adults who are moving away to college and will be required to monitor their glucose levels closely. Especially if they’re getting older and spending a lot of time away from home, it’s important that your child knows the responsibility and necessity of ensuring their health and well-being. Talk to your child regularly to make sure that they’re keeping up with this daily practice.
Check out some of these resources and tips provided above. They can really help you combat a life of living with diabetes. Your child doesn’t have to be handicapped by diabetes. Educate yourself and your child so they can lead a long and happy healthy life.
