Teens with diabetes face additional challenges
The teen years are a time of change: new friends, difficult schoolwork, physical and emotional changes, increased involvement in a variety of sports, clubs and social events and, of course, growing independence. Teens with diabetes have even greater challenges than many of their peers, as they balance management of their condition with the new events and responsibilities of their evolving world.
Whether they are newly diagnosed with type 2, or "veterans" with years of experience dealing with type 1, teenagers with diabetes, along with their families and health care teams, must work to define their roles in diabetes management. This may include restructuring the kind of support parents provide, as young patients begin to assume more responsibility for their own health care.
Two qualities are important to the teen with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. They are: self-esteem and assertiveness. Teens who value themselves and feel confident, clear and direct about what they want and need, will have the best outcomes in their diabetes management.
Dr. Laura Marusinec, a pediatrician with Advanced Healthcare, offers these suggestions to young patients as they transition from adolescence to young adulthood:
• These patients should be set up with a diabetic team including a physician, dietician, educators, and at times, a psychologist. This is especially important with type 1 diabetes, which is usually more severe and requires stricter diets and monitoring.
• Use sample meal plans and "exchange diets" to help plan individual diets with the correct balance and amounts of carbohydrates, fat, and protein.
• Monitor the diabetes closer during times of illness.
• Consistency in timing of meals, amounts, and distribution of calories is important.
• Avoid trendy diets and fasting.
• Reduce junk foods and regular sodas.
• Exercise and slow weight loss is especially important for type 2 diabetes.
• Family support and stress reduction are especially important.
• Building a good relationship with the health care team can be particularly important for the teenage patient with diabetes. A teen may turn to his or her diabetic team for assistance in communicating changes to parents or for suggestions in ways to reduce stress. While it is often more challenging to give and receive support during teen years, it can help everyone - patients, parents, and health care team, alike - achieve the common goal of the best possible diabetes control.
