One of the most frightening and life-altering diagnoses that a child can receive is juvenile diabetes, also known as Type 1 diabetes. The condition requires drastic lifestyle changes for both the child and his or her family. But the key to making the transition more in a smooth fashion is knowledge and understanding for children and adults alike.

Now, one of the most confusing aspects that should be demystified is the distinction between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Your child most likely did not develop diabetes due to poor diet or exercise habits. This would likely be the case for Type 2, which is much more common in obese adults.

Essentially, Type 1 develops out of the body’s inability to properly process sugar due to the pancreas’s failure to produce the insulin it should. This causes the blood sugar in the body to fluctuate to unsafe levels on both the high and the low end. It tends to strike a child suddenly, whereas Type 2 has a more gradual onset caused by a string of poor eating choices

If you are in a position where you aren’t sure if your child is diabetic, look for the symptoms: your child may constantly complain of being hungry though they are losing weight, they may begin to urinate frequently, and may develop frequent headaches, accompanied by lightheadedness.

Only your doctor will be able to adequately diagnose the condition using medical tests which measure blood glucose levels. Getting an accurate diagnosis can involve multiple tests over time.

This can be a frightening process for your child and you as a parent, but taking time to educate yourself on how you and your child can work together with your doctor to control the effects of the diabetes will ultimately give you comfort in this stressful time. Plus, it helps remind your rational side that this will not “ruin your lives,” as you may be thinking right now.

The most vital way to help your child cope with Type 1 diabetes is to teach them “how to eat.” They need to learn early on not to reach for more refined products like white bread or high-sugar drinks like fruit juices or soda.

Teachers, school nurses, and even friends and their parents should be informed of the condition and its implications. This may embarrass your child at first, but it is more important for them to be healthy and well looked-after than anything.

Try your best to listen to your child’s concerns and do not dismiss them. This is hard for them! Sometimes as parents, we get so wrapped up in our own stresses (because of course, this is difficult for us, too), we forget about what our children are actually going through. Do what you can to lend an ear and give all your love. Let your child explain her condition if she gets embarrassed when you do it. Just do what you can, and they will appreciate it in the long run.

Lauren’s Hope Medical ID Bracelets (http://www.laurenshope.com) ensures that your child is safe with our tasteful and potentially life-saving
medical ID bracelets. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

[tags]medical ID bracelets, Juvenile Diabetes[/tags]