Teenagers and Diabetes

I am a type 1 diabetic and have been so for nearly thirteen years. And it hasn't always been smooth sailing, in fact, it still isn't, despite me being in my early twenties. I often struggle to maintain a balance between diet, exercise,studying, drinking alcohol and socialising. Not maintaing this balance, plays havoc with my blood sugars, causing them to zig-zag.
One might think this combination of a dietitian and diabetic, whose blood sugars ought to be more on the "straight and narrow" odd, but it highlights the fact that type 1 diabetes is often difficult for anybody, specifically for teenegars and young adults, to control.

Factors Upsetting Blood Sugar Control

As a teenager grows up through to a young adult, it is a period of social development and awareness. It is also a time of networking, forging new friendships and relationships; discovering the bliss of an ice cold beer or the sharp ecstasy of a shooter; the rush of a first cigarette or even the thrill of a recent crush glancing your way. Suddenly, any reminders of blood tests and insulin are soon forgotten or ignored.

At a braai or party, sweet fruit-coolers, beers and mixes form the basis of many teens' alcohol repetoires. Personally, I'm not a big drinker, but often feel very uncomfortable after several drinks and instinctively, I know my blood sugar is high. Despite the cries of "Hey! Why aren't you drinking!", I down numerous glasses of water and monitor my blood sugar more closely. Alcohol, especially in the form of shooters, causes spikes in blood sugar, which may later crash and cause serious hypos, whereas plain spirits will cause the blood sugar to plummet.

At that same braai or party, there may be potato crisps to snack on, as well as garlic bread and soft, white rolls to munch. Combined with a lack of vegetables and fatty meat, these will also contribute to a higher blood sugar.

Another important factor to consider, is the lack of discipline, in terms of the blood tests and insulin injections. It is very hard as a teenage diabetic, to see so many other kids stuff chocolate, biscuits, cokes and other junk foods into their mouths, while the diabetic teen has to eat a much more restricted diet. It is much easier, to ignore the condition and eat what you like. Teen's moods, friends, levels of activty as well as changes in hormones also change frequently, making diabetes management that much harder. But this is where the discipline comes in.

Why Bother?

Poor blood glucose control results in retinopathy (damage
to the retina of the eye); cataracts; nephropathy (kidney problems, where the
kidneys battle to excrete the excess glucose from the body); neuropathy
(nerve damage, whereby the patient feels a "pins and needles"
sensation in the feet and legs) and cardiovascular disease and strokes (poor
circulation can also affect the blood vessels in the genital areas, causing
impotence). Diabetic teens should keep their feet in good condition, to prevent
problems occurring in later life. The longer the poor control lasts,
the more severe the complications.

Ways To Help Manage Your Teen's Diabetes

Managing diabetes as a teen or young adult is tough or just a big fat pain in the ass, but it is possible to achieve! I've managed without any complications so far, haven't I? There are several ways to mange the condition, some of which, got me through to wher I am today. These are:

1. Several consecutive meetings with a Daibetic Nurse Educator, who will help the teen amke better choices regarding diet, drinking alcohol, partying and socializing and exercise.

2. Establish priorities i.e. what is really important to the teen? Is social acceptance really worth sacrificing one's health? The teen must be encourages to find a balance between the two.

3. There are new insulins and other devices (e.g. insulin pumps) on the market, which offer more flexibility in terms of food and insulin dosages and they make diabetes management much easier.

4. A diabetic teen needs a strong support system around him: someone to understand his moods; to understand and interpret his feelings of sadness, anger, fear or shame; to see if his sugar is low or sky high; to help him make the right lifestyle choices and to undertsnad any other problems. It will also help if the whole family is involved; they should know how diabetes works, what to do in a particular situation and they can also be involved at mealtimes.

5. Help the teen build confidence, especially in himself. He must believe that he can control thios condition and thus he needs support from his family and friends.

6. A healthy lifestyle with everything in moderation will help level out his blood sugars. Always have alcohol with meals to prevent hypos and be aware of the effect of alcohol on blood sugar levels several hours after drinking. Exercise and a low GI diet will help even out any spikes.

I hope I have shown you that teens and young adults are capable of managing
their own diabetes. Its a rocky ride and you don't always get a lollipop at the
end, but the reward appears ina different form: excellent health with no
complications and the ability to live life to the fullest!

I encourage any other teens or young adults to email me and tell me their experiences or troubles. I hope to perhaps specialize in this field and I feel that, being a diabetic and knowing how it feels, will benefit me in this endevour.