Understanding Diabetes in Children: A Positive Approach

Diabetes may be an unwelcome diagnosis, but living with diabetes can be achieved in a positive way once a healthy routine is set in motion.

Anger or Acceptance

• It is important to recognize that when children are diagnosed with diabetes, the last thing they want to hear is "No, you can't have that because you're diabetic." Continuous comments such as this will create a deep anger and resentment toward having diabetes and make it that much harder to bear.

Management

• Managing your child's diabetes is paramount to long-term health. Blood glucose levels must be kept under control to stave off complications of type 1 diabetes, including vision problems.

Treats

• Having one-on-one time cooking with your child, making homemade diabetic treats, can have a huge positive effect. Healthy recipes can still satisfy with a bit of sweetness.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of diabetes in children include excess thirst and urination, tiredness, mood swings, binge eating and nausea. A simple glucose blood test can confirm diabetes.

Information

• Much information is available to help families learn about diabetes. The more a child understands about living with diabetes, the sooner a child will be able to accept and manage her diabetes as a normal part of life.