Diabetes

Hypoglycemia – episodes of low blood sugar – can occur when there is too much insulin or not enough food. In people without diabetes, insulin levels fall naturally between meals. When you take injections, some insulin will keep circulating, and this can drive blood sugar too low. It is especially likely to dip: If a […]

Children with diabetes need to eat the same nutritious food that other family members should be eating. They won’t be on a “diet.” They can eat everything in moderation – including foods containing sugar. Special diabetic and dietetic foods are not necessary. But people with diabetes need to watch: What time they eat (meals and

Even “normal” illnesses like colds and flu can cause special problems for a child with diabetes. Some illnesses interfere with the way insulin works, so the child will need extra insulin. If a child can’t eat or is vomiting, it may be hard to keep blood sugar up. Get A Written Plan Get an action

It is very important for the child, you, and other adults in the child’s life to keep the diabetes in perspective. Remember, children with diabetes can do almost anything other kids can do, provided their diabetes is under control. However, it’s important for teachers, the school nurse, school secretary, day care workers, and coaches to

Encourage your child to take part in school-sponsored athletics and to sign up for sports teams after school. This will do two things: It will program exercise into your child’s life. Ideally, children with diabetes should have at least 30 minutes of activity a day. Exercise helps their bodies use insulin more efficiently and gives

Finding a sitter for a young child with diabetes requires special consideration. The best choice may be a teenager who also has diabetes. You can find such people through your local chapter of the American Diabetes Association. Here’s a checklist for notes to leave with the sitter. Write down: Where you can be reached Doctor’s

If diabetes isn’t well controlled, over the years it can lead to a risk of other problems, such as: Kidney trouble Heart disease Damage to the eyes Problems in the nerves, especially those affecting the feet Although these complications aren’t likely to cause problems until adulthood, damage to blood vessels and organs can start before

Here are some frequently asked questions related to diabetes in children. Q: Diabetes runs in my family, and I’m concerned that my children might be affected. What symptoms should I watch for? A: Only your children’s doctor can tell for sure if they have diabetes. They may have some or none of the following symptoms: frequent

Diabetes affects the way the body uses food. It is caused by a lack of insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas that is essential for converting energy from food. Insulin is necessary for the body to process nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins), and its absence causes high sugar (glucose) levels in the blood. There

Type 2 diabetes – the type that mostly affects adults – affects all types of people. However, there are factors that can put you at higher risk for developing the condition: Being overweight (body mass index of 25+) Carrying fat around the waist and stomach Being sedentary Being more than 45 years old (being over

Diabetes is an autoimmune disease. That means the body’s defense system attacks some of the body’s own cells. In type 1 diabetes, the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed, and therefore they are no longer capable of making insulin. We don’t know exactly why this happens, but we do know that some