Diabetes does not just threaten the health of adults, it is also a leading cause of health risks among many children today. When a child is diagnosed with diabetes it does not mean that they can no longer live life to its fullest. They can still laugh, run and play just like other children and they can be involved in just as many extracurricular activities as the other kids may be.
If your child has diabetes just make sure that you stay in close communications with your child's doctor and ask all questions that you may be pondering over. They are there to help you and your child in every way possible and teach you more about this disease and the affects it may have on your child. Some children may have many symptoms while others may have no symptoms at all. Each child is very different with how they handle having type 1 or type 2 diabetes. You may not even be able to tell a difference in them at all, while others may need special care in order to protect them from becoming extremely ill if not detected in time.
Typically type 1 diabetes is the type that most children are being diagnosed with. Type 2 diabetes in children is becoming more likely due to all of the unhealthy eating habits that they seem to have now days. The fact that children are not getting the proper amount of exercise that they need. The actual causes of childhood diabetes is still not known completely, however, the environment that they live in and their poor habitsplay a huge role in childhood diabetes.
Children with diabetes have pretty much the same types of symptoms that adults have. They may suffer from weight loss or weight gain, staying thirsty all of the time, feeling sleepy throughout the day, stomach discomforts and sometimes even suffer some behavioral problems at home or at school. All of these things can be signs that your child may be suffering from diabetes.
You, as the parent of a child suffering from diabetes, will need to do the proper research in order to care for your child properly. It is important to consider talking with a nutritionist about what kind of diet would be best for your child.
There are some myths about diabetes that you should know are not true.
*Diabetes is not contagious. It can’t be caught like a cold or flu. There seems to be some genetic link in diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle factors also play a part.
*Sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes if eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise. They are no more “off limits” to people with diabetes than they are to people without diabetes.
*Eating too much sugar does not cause diabetes. It is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. However, being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight.
*A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is the same as that for everyone – low in fat (especially saturated and trans fat), moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit. Diabetic and “dietetic” versions of sugar-containing foods offer no special benefit. They still raise blood glucose levels, are usually more expensive and can also have a laxative effect if they contain sugar alcohols.
*You should only eat small amounts of starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes and pasta is not true. Starchy foods are part of a healthy meal plan. What is important is the portion size. Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, peas and corn can be included in your meals and snacks. The key is portions. For most people with diabetes, having 3-4 servings of carbohydrate-containing foods is about right. Whole grain starchy foods are also a good source of fiber, which helps keep your gut healthy.
*People with diabetes are not any more likely to get colds and other illnesses. However, people with diabetes are advised to get flu shots. This is because any infection interferes with your blood glucose management, putting you at risk of high blood glucose levels and, for those with type 1 diabetes, an increased risk of ketoacidosis.
*Insulin does not cause atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and high blood pressure.
In the laboratory, there is evidence that insulin can initiate some of the early processes associated with atherosclerosis. Therefore, some physicians were fearful that insulin might aggravate the development of high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. But it doesn’t.
*Insulin does not cause weight gain. Both the UKPDS (United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study) and the DCCT (Diabetes Control & Complications Trial) have shown that the benefit of glucose management with insulin far outweighs (no pun intended) the risk of weight gain.
*Fruit is a healthy food. But it is not ok to eat as much of it as you wish. It contains fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals. Because fruit contains carbohydrate, it needs to be included in your meal plan. Talk to your dietitian about the amount, frequency and types of fruits you should eat.
*The better your glucose control, the less likely you are to develop complications of diabetes. An A1C in the sevens (7s), however, does not represent good control. The ADA goal is less than 7 percent. The closer your A1C is to the normal range (less than 6 percent), the lower your chances of complications. However, you increase your risk of hypoglycemia, especially if you have type 1 diabetes. Talk with your health care provider about the best goal for you.
If your child has diabetes just make sure that you stay in close communications with your child's doctor and ask all questions that you may be pondering over. They are there to help you and your child in every way possible and teach you more about this disease and the affects it may have on your child. Some children may have many symptoms while others may have no symptoms at all. Each child is very different with how they handle having type 1 or type 2 diabetes. You may not even be able to tell a difference in them at all, while others may need special care in order to protect them from becoming extremely ill if not detected in time.
Typically type 1 diabetes is the type that most children are being diagnosed with. Type 2 diabetes in children is becoming more likely due to all of the unhealthy eating habits that they seem to have now days. The fact that children are not getting the proper amount of exercise that they need. The actual causes of childhood diabetes is still not known completely, however, the environment that they live in and their poor habitsplay a huge role in childhood diabetes.
Children with diabetes have pretty much the same types of symptoms that adults have. They may suffer from weight loss or weight gain, staying thirsty all of the time, feeling sleepy throughout the day, stomach discomforts and sometimes even suffer some behavioral problems at home or at school. All of these things can be signs that your child may be suffering from diabetes.
You, as the parent of a child suffering from diabetes, will need to do the proper research in order to care for your child properly. It is important to consider talking with a nutritionist about what kind of diet would be best for your child.
There are some myths about diabetes that you should know are not true.
*Diabetes is not contagious. It can’t be caught like a cold or flu. There seems to be some genetic link in diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle factors also play a part.
*Sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes if eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise. They are no more “off limits” to people with diabetes than they are to people without diabetes.
*Eating too much sugar does not cause diabetes. It is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. However, being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight.
*A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is the same as that for everyone – low in fat (especially saturated and trans fat), moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit. Diabetic and “dietetic” versions of sugar-containing foods offer no special benefit. They still raise blood glucose levels, are usually more expensive and can also have a laxative effect if they contain sugar alcohols.
*You should only eat small amounts of starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes and pasta is not true. Starchy foods are part of a healthy meal plan. What is important is the portion size. Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, peas and corn can be included in your meals and snacks. The key is portions. For most people with diabetes, having 3-4 servings of carbohydrate-containing foods is about right. Whole grain starchy foods are also a good source of fiber, which helps keep your gut healthy.
*People with diabetes are not any more likely to get colds and other illnesses. However, people with diabetes are advised to get flu shots. This is because any infection interferes with your blood glucose management, putting you at risk of high blood glucose levels and, for those with type 1 diabetes, an increased risk of ketoacidosis.
*Insulin does not cause atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and high blood pressure.
In the laboratory, there is evidence that insulin can initiate some of the early processes associated with atherosclerosis. Therefore, some physicians were fearful that insulin might aggravate the development of high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. But it doesn’t.
*Insulin does not cause weight gain. Both the UKPDS (United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study) and the DCCT (Diabetes Control & Complications Trial) have shown that the benefit of glucose management with insulin far outweighs (no pun intended) the risk of weight gain.
*Fruit is a healthy food. But it is not ok to eat as much of it as you wish. It contains fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals. Because fruit contains carbohydrate, it needs to be included in your meal plan. Talk to your dietitian about the amount, frequency and types of fruits you should eat.
*The better your glucose control, the less likely you are to develop complications of diabetes. An A1C in the sevens (7s), however, does not represent good control. The ADA goal is less than 7 percent. The closer your A1C is to the normal range (less than 6 percent), the lower your chances of complications. However, you increase your risk of hypoglycemia, especially if you have type 1 diabetes. Talk with your health care provider about the best goal for you.
