Diabetic Children: Myth and Reality

by Arun on May 4, 2009

Children with diabetes should not eat anything with sugar in it
Of course, too much sugar isn’t good for anyone, with or without diabetes. But because children with Type 1 Diabetes are at high risk for heart and vascular problems in the long run, its a good idea to keep an eye on their fat and cholesterol intake. You should check with a nutritionist about what’s best for your child.

My child will not be able to play because of diabetes.
As long as your child checks his or her blood sugar level before playing sports, there isn’t any reason he or she can’t play. They need to stabilize their blood sugar before exercising; if they’re fine, they should drink plenty of fluids and continue to check periodically throughout their workout. They always have a source of sugar with them at all times, in case their blood sugar drops. Many people with Type 1 Diabetes have not only excelled in sports, but have become world-class athletes.

My daughter will not be able to have children because of her diabetes.
Today, many adult women with Type 1 Diabetes are able to have children; they just have to keep their blood sugar levels under extremely tight control. This is hard work, especially with the cravings and erratic eating habits that can come with pregnancy. But many women with diabetes have had healthy children, thanks to their commitment and their doctors’ expertise.

Learn more about:  Diabetes Treatment, What Actually is Diabetes?, diabetic diet management

Diabetes can cause bad behavior in children.
Some people may assume that because of hyperactivity associated with high blood sugar or irritability associated with low blood sugar, children with diabetes are going to be a nightmare. The temptation is to let a physical symptom take over and affect one’s overall behavior. Children with diabetes are just like any other normal child. They need to be shown that they should remain respectful of others and polite while treating their symptoms appropriately. Diabetes doesn’t take away good manners.

People with Type 1. Diabetes die young.
This used to be true, and it also used to be true that Type 1 Diabetes was fatal. The Nobel Prize for Medicine was given for the researcher who discovered insulin in the 1920s because he had “cured” diabetes, making it no longer a fatal disease. As research and treatment have improved over the last 75 years, so has the life expectancy of people with diabetes. Of course there are young people who die from Type 1 and its complications, but they are the exceptions and not the rule.

There’s a good chance my child will go blind or become an amputee because of his diabetes.
These days, studies have shown the risk of long-term complications is drastically lower which has been made possible by the latest advancements in technology and insulin. In fact, complications such as these are less common among Type 1 diabetics than among older people with Type 2 who don’t know they have the disease for years. While their blood sugar level remains elevated for so long, they unwittingly begin to lose their sight or the circulation in their feet.

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