Coping with Your Child's Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis

A doctor's diagnosis of diabetes can be a devastating blow, to a child and his family, who may view it as the end of life as they once knew it. It will indeed be the end of the life they have been used to, but it need not be the end of a long and productive life. As a parent, you will likely be overcome with concerns over insulin injections, low blood glucose levels as well as the normal day to day activities that it seems your child will not be able to participate in any longer. You may also be trying to cope with the feelings that are overwhelming you at present. You may wonder: Why us? How will we break the news to teachers, friends and other care-givers in your child's life? It is natural to also be angry, afraid and depressed with the diagnosis. After all, it was not what you were hoping for when you took your child to see the doctor.Thankfully, you are not alone. There are other children and parents out there who are going through the exact same thing as you are. So you are not alone.

Symptoms of diabetes

Diabetes can go undiagnosed for quite some time because the symptoms may seem harmless and ordinary. However, recent studies indicate that the earlier diabetes is diagnosed, the less chance there will be of developing complications later on related to diabetes. These are the symptoms to look out for if you suspect your child has diabetes:

*Frequent urination

*Unquenchable thirst

*Extreme hunger

*Rapid, unexplained weight loss

*Fatigue

*Blurry vision

If your child has any of these symptoms or a combination of them, take them to see the doctor as soon as possible. If your child does indeed have diabetes, doctors will need to start treating the condition to get it under control quickly.

Understanding type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is mostly diagnosed in children and young adults. It used to be known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, the hormone required to convert sugar (glucose), starches and other foods into energy for life. There is no denying that diabetes is a serious disease, but that does not mean that people with diabetes cannot still enjoy a long, healthy life.

What to expect after the diagnosis

Following your child's type 1 diabetes diagnosis, your child's appetite and weight are likely to change. Your child probably lost weight before the diagnosis, but now that diabetes has been diagnosed and is being treated, weight gain will occur. There is no need for concern. It simply shows that your child's body is once again able to absorb and use the food that is eaten. It is a perfectly normal reaction and shows that your child is adjusting well. With diabetes, it is important to eat regularly. But what do you do when your child is going through growth spurts? Your child may need to eat more calories than usual each day. At other times, your child's appetite may even decrease. In order to keep blood glucose levels under control during these times, the doctor or dietitian will need to teach both of you how to adjust insulin dosage to deal with variations in food intake. The first few months after the diagnosis will be an important time to maintain close contact with the dietitian, so that you can adjust your child's meal plan to meet their needs.

What to expect from the first visit to the doctor's

The first visit to the doctor's after diagnosis will require an in depth look at your child's health. To ensure that your child is receiving good care, your child's doctor will ask and check the following:

*They will want to know how long your child has had diabetes

*Does anyone else in the family have diabetes?

*How is the diabetes being treated?

*What does your child eat and at what times?

*How often does your child exercise?

*Are there any other health problems?

*Does your child have any complications with the diabetes?

After going through this preliminary list, a doctor should then measure your child's height, weight and blood pressure. He should also look in the eyes to check for eye problems and ask about any dental problems. As well as checking other organs, such as the liver, the doctor should also check your child's feet, hands and fingers. Blood and urine samples will be taken for tests. On subsequent visits, the doctor will want to see the logbook and check to see if the blood glucose levels have been too high or low and make suggestions for improvement. The doctor will want to know if there have been any life changes since the previous visit and see how that has impacted your child's care. If your child has had problems in sticking closely to the prescribed diabetes plan the doctor will take a blood sample for an HbA1c test and other tests, as well as talk over any changes that need to be made in the treatment plan. If your child is in control of their diabetes, they should only need to visit the doctor every three months or so. It is only necessary to visit the doctor more often if your child is having trouble controlling their diabetes.

Your child's relationship with their health care providers

Diabetes is a condition that really requires the patient to take an active role in their self-care. So it is important to educate your child and help empower them to take care of their diabetes care, at the doctor's office and at home. At first, you will probably be doing much to control your child's diabetes, but as your child grows older, it is best to try and encourage your child to develop their own relationship with the doctor and other members of the diabetes team. Even at a young age, a child should ask questions and raise concerns about their diabetes, both to you and to the medical team. Diabetes treatment does not always work according to plan. In such instances, it would be a good idea to encourage your child to mention what is not working. The diabetes team are able to help by adjusting the insulin, diet and exercise routine in order to help improve your child's particular needs. Encouraging your child to take an active part in their diabetes treatment will also hold them in good stead as they grow older when they will have to assume full responsibility for their diabetes as adults. So arming your child with knowledge now is important for the years ahead.

Related conditions and treatments

Finding out your child has type 1diabetes is just the beginning. You will need to educate yourself and any other family members about conditions related to diabetes and how to prevent these from occurring. These would include hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis and celiac disease. As well as related conditions, you will find helpful information about insulin, blood glucose meters, managing and checking blood glucose, kidney and islet transplantations and advice from health care providers.

Is there a cure?

There is currently no cure for type 1 diabetes, but advances in the treatment of diabetes are being made all the time. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and other studies show that people can lead healthy lives. Diabetes does not have to inhibit your child's quality of life and enjoyment of it. Be sure to reassure your child that they are normal and that they can still take part in normal childhood activities. No child wants to feel left out. As a parent, you can do much to help maintain your child's positive self-image.

Source:

http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp