Diabetes in Children

Among school-age children, diabetes is the most common chronic disease. Some of these children develop diabetes a few months after birth, while others develop it during early childhood. Some even develop it in their teen years. If your child has diabetes, you should know that they will live a full life, and function at full capacity, as long as they understand their disease.

The first step is getting them diagnosed. If a child shows any of the common signs of diabetes, such as excessive hunger, frequent urination, excessive thirst, or fatigue, they should be tested. They should also be tested if they are overweight, or if there is a history of diabetes in the family.

If your child is diagnosed with diabetes, the disease needs to be explained to them. They need to understand why eating right is important, and they must also be aware of problem signs to watch out for. You and your doctor can explain the problems and the disease to your child together.

It is also important that you make your child realize that diabetes does not stop them from enjoying their regular activities. They should be encouraged to play sports and participate in other activities, as this actually helps to keep the diabetes under control.

Your child should be fully aware of the medications that they need, including insulin injections. They should learn how to administer their own injections as early as possible, and should be aware of which oral medications they take, when they are to be taken, and how much is to be taken. Sometimes, medication may be needed at school, and mistakes happen when a school nurse is in charge of the health of hundreds of kids. If your child knows what is right, and what isn't, however, they will often stop any mistakes from being made.