Managing diabetes takes commitment and effort regardless of when it develops. But diabetes presents unique issues for children and teens with the disease. For example, the simple pleasures of childhood, such as going to birthday parties, basketball games, or sleepovers, need careful planning for the child with diabetes.

Managing a child's diabetes
Most children do not have the discipline
 to stick treatment regimen, and it
 falls on the parent to provide structure.

Every day, the child with diabetes may need to take insulin or oral medication. The child's blood glucose level will have to be checked several times a day, and food intake and activity will have to be accounted for. Depending on the child's age, these are burdens assumed by the caregiver alone, shared between an older child and the caregiver, or assumed completely by the teenager.

For the parent or other caregiver, who is essentially playing the role of the child's pancreas, the sheer responsibility can be daunting; it is a job that is impossible to do perfectly. And it is easy for the caregiver to become overwhelmed by the daily demands of determining exact insulin amounts, anticipating the child's carbohydrate intake and activity levels, and preventing both hypoglycemia (which, if it is not treated, can cause brain damage) and high blood sugar levels (which, if poorly controlled, can increase the long-term complications).

What's more, the stress of caring for a child with diabetes can aggravate any psychological, social, or financial problems that the family may already be experiencing. Because the diagnosis of diabetes changes a family and its dynamics forever, seeking and getting social and psychological support is essential for the well-being of all the family members.

The child's diabetes care team is an important resource and can often suggest care and treatment options that can help ease some of the difficulties. For example, a child who requires insulin daily may benefit from the use of an insulin pump. The pump not only improves control but helps restore some flexibility and spontaneity to the family's lifestyle and schedule.

With the pump, gone are the schedules of meals, snacks, and shots; there is also less risk of hypoglycemia. In addition, using the pump allows significantly more freedom in food choices and amounts.

Yet another resource that can help ease the burden for the child and provide a break for the caregiver are the various camps for children with diabetes. Camp provides a great opportunity for children and teenagers who have diabetes to get to know others who face the same challenges and to have fun in a safe environment while learning useful coping skills. An excellent resource for exploring diabetes camps in your area can be found at www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/camps.

For more information on diabetes, try the following links:
  • Diabetes and Children: If your child has diabetes, he or she will have different needs than an adult. Find out how to manage your child's disease.
  • Insulin: This treatment has a scary reputation, but in some cases it's the only effective way to control diabetes. Learn more about this misunderstood drug.
  • Diabetes Medications: But insulin isn't the only form of diabetes medication. This page will give you details on many other forms.
  • Diabetes Treatment: Living with any form of this disease means keeping a steady blood-sugar level. Find out how to treat the main types of diabetes.
  • Diabetes: This disorder in the blood can affect most of your organs. Learn how it works here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Timothy Gower is a freelance writer and the author of several books. His work has appeared in many magazines and newspapers, including Prevention, Health, Reader's Digest, Better Homes and Gardens, Men's Health, Esquire, Fortune, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times.

ABOUT THE CONTSULTANTS:

Dana Armstrong, R.D., C.D.E., received her degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of California, Davis, and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. She has developed educational programs that have benefited more than 5,000 patients with diabetes. She specializes in and speaks nationally on approaches to disease treatment, specifically diabetes.

Allen Bennett King, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E., C.D.E. is the author of more than 50 papers in medical science and speaks nationally on new advances in diabetes. He is an associate clinical professor at the University of California Natividad Medical Center and cofounder and medical director of the Diabetes Care Center in Salinas, California.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.