Type 1 Diabetes: Children Living With The Disease: Prevention

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Prevention

Your child with type 1 diabetes will have high and low blood sugar levels from time to time. You can help avoid many immediate problems and long-term complications, such as eye, kidney, heart, blood vessel, and nerve disease, by:

• Helping your child develop a healthy attitude toward having diabetes. As your child grows and develops, let him or her assume appropriate responsibility for treatment.
• Encouraging and supporting your child to keep blood sugar levels within a normal or near-normal range. Starting tight control of blood sugar levels as soon as possible after diagnosis of diabetes gives your child the greatest chance of avoiding complications from diabetes later on in life.
• Checking your child's blood sugar level several times a day and whenever you think it may be high or low.¹⁰
• Recognizing and treating high and low blood sugar quickly. Make sure everyone who cares for your child knows how to treat high and low blood sugar episodes.
• Discussing the dangers of smoking, drinking alcohol, and using other drugs. Smoking affects the blood vessels and can lead to developing diabetes complications later on in life.¹¹ Alcohol and other drugs can mask symptoms of low blood sugar, which may lead to an emergency situation.
• Keeping your child's immunizations up to date. Diabetes affects the immune system, increasing the risk of developing a severe illness.
• Keeping your child's doctor aware of behavior changes in your child. Emotions and behavior can affect how well you and your child manage diabetes treatment.⁵

Last updated:	January 19, 2007
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC