According to CDC data, in the United States each year more than 13,000 young people with type 1 diabetes didagnosa. Meanwhile, according netdoctor.co.uk, the number of children with diabetes have increased over the last 30 years, in Britain such as the number of children with diabetes 17/100.000 children, children in Scotland 25/100.000, 43/100.000 children in Finland, while in Japan 3 / 100,000 children.
The existence of an epidemic of obesity & lack of physical activity that children do as well as exposure to diabetes while still in the womb, allegedly a major cause of an increase in people with type 2 diabetes during childhood & adolescence.
Causes and Symptoms
Just as in adults, causes of diabetes in children is also not clear. Most likely it involves a combination of genetic factors with environmental factors. Most children with type 1 diabetes did not have a family history of diabetes, according to data from netdoctor.co.uk.
The main symptoms of diabetes in children as the symptoms of diabetes in adults, namely :
- Easy thirsty.
- Weight loss.
- Easily tired.
- Frequent urination.
- Pain in the abdomen.
- Headache.
- The existence of behavioral problems.
Sometimes diabetic acidosis can also occur before the diagnosis of diabetes. Although it is rare, but can be a concern to be aware of the onset of diabetes in children.
Parents with children diabetes
For parents whose children suffer from diabetes, should always monitor blood sugar levels in children to normal levels, not high or low temperatures. Then the parents should also be aware that children who suffer from diabetes requires setting the proper eating and physical activity are monitored properly.
At first, deal with children who suffer from diabetes is not easy. But by understanding how diabetes can affect children, and patient & adaptable can be a key to successfully managing diabetes.
Here are some notes that need to be considered by parents whose children suffer from diabetes, which is taken from diabetes.co.uk :
- If necessary, sometimes parents have to give insulin shots to her child, even if it is not necessary that a parent still knows how to give insulin injections are. There are two main places of insulin injections, under the belly & the thigh. Kosultasikan with a pediatrician about the place & the right way to give the insulin injections.
- Recognize the symptoms of low blood sugar levels and diabetic acidosis. Afterwards learn also what to do if it happens.
- Consider the child's blood sugar levels & if they're old enough, teach also how to do this, as well as how to give insulin injections.
- Also make sure your family & friends to know that your child has diabetes & they also know what to do when visible symptoms of low blood sugar levels.
- Always available to address the low levels of glucose in blood sugar.
Not everyone, including teachers in schools with a good understanding of diabetes. Therefore, parents should provide a good understanding of the teachers & children's friends about the disease diabetes. Here are some notes about what will be considered by parents with children with diabetes in schools, in the capture of diabetes.co.uk :
- School children should provide assistance regarding the problem of diabetes in school children. Schools should also have a safe place to store emergency insulin when needed and provide a closed room for children to inject insulin or test blood sugar levels.
- If necessary, the pediatrician may be asked to provide information about diabetes is needed by teachers in schools.
- Children with diabetes should be allowed to eat snacks, both are receiving a lesson or not.
- Children who suffer from diabetes also should always be allowed to go to the toilet whenever required without a lot of questions.
- The teachers & staff in schools should be able to recognize the symptoms of low blood sugar in the blood & how to overcome them.
- Following sports lessons at school can be done, but needs to be done for adequate preparation & blood sugar levels of children should always be monitored properly.
Being a diabetic does not mean the child can not physically active. Many athletes are athletes who have diabetes but have achievements in the field. Here are some things to consider when children make physical activity / sport, which is taken from diabetes.co.uk :
- The important thing to note at the time before, while or after exercise is preparation.
- Doing physical activity or exercise can increase the risk of hypoglycemia, a condition where the body can not produce enough insulin to perform its functions properly. Hypoglycemia can be dangerous, doctors can tell how to avoid or overcome the event of hypoglycemia.
- The pattern of food plays an important role. Exercise can affect blood sugar, therefore, foods that can increase blood sugar need to be prepared at any time if necessary.
- There are several types of sports that are not suitable for diabetics. However, diabetics can still do other sports such as surfing, hiking, climbing, diving, etc.
- During exercise, should the teacher on duty or peers have enough information about diabetes & recognize and understand what to do in case of hypoglycemia.
- For further information about the types of sports & hypoglycemia, can consult with a physician.