Type 1 Diabetes-Clinical Experience in Adolescence
Freestyle is an improvement in monitoring sugars and show a range of sugars, for this cell phone loving generation.
Rather than a focus on a low carb diet, consider follow a healthy whole foods diet.
When hypoglycemic, one can become ravenous. Try not to overcorrect with too much fast sugar. After correcting with the fast sugar, you can add a snack with carb/protein/fiber/fat.
Someone with diabetes never wants to hear they can't have sugar, as it is likely to indicate you don’t understand. A balanced diet is a healthy diet that can include deserts. This is especially the case with teens entering puberty, as this is an increase risk for possible eating disorders.
Puberty certainly makes it a little more difficult to manage blood sugars and haemoglobin A-1 Cs, but positive reinforcement and support is helpful.
Finding a form of consistent exercise with an activity that one enjoys is also very important.
Given the increased rate of depression with diabetes and other medical disorders, it is important to monitor for this such as ongoing sadness and or decreased pleasure in favorite activities.
Finding a peer who also has diabetes is very helpful as it may be a lonely experience.
If there are a number of swings in glucose levels, it may also lead to mood changes such as irritability and or sadness. It may be helpful for friends and family to be also aware of these possiblities, and to be supportive.
Yearly check-ups for thyroid function are important, as there may be an increased risk for other autoimmune disorders.
As always support gut functioning. Remember prebiotics and probiotics, which can be found in a healthy diet. See the section on eating habits.
Disclaimer: Although I am a registered MD, information on this web site is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professionals or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Please view this website’s “Disclaimer” for further details.