What You Should Know About Type 1 Diabetes In Babies

When we have a baby, all we want to do is to shield it from all possible harm.

In fact, type 1 diabetes is rare in babies, usually manifesting itself at the infant stage or beyond, however, it can appear, and when it does, it’s very important that parents do not blame themselves. Not just because it is absolutely not the parent’s fault, but also because being wracked with guilt does not help at a time when a parent needs to focus on the needs of the baby in question.

It is perhaps a little easier for existing parents to spot the possible signs of diabetes, as they are more likely to notice excessive diarrhoea for example, having had previous experience with there own children and therefore being able to offer a comparison. For those who have no previous experience of babies this is harder, but any continued sickness or excessive urinating should be a sign to consult with a doctor.

If a child is suffering from vomiting and weight loss and the doctor suspects diabetes, it may be necessary or the baby to be treated in hospital initially, to get the child stable.

Injecting a baby with insulin and taking small amounts of blood to check blood sugar levels can cause a baby an upsetting amount of stress, not to mention stress for the parents, but these are things that the parents have to do to ensure that the child’s blood sugars remain stable.

However, the fact that the child is in an early stage of development is a major bonus at this stage.

This means that a higher than normal blood sugar level is required for continued normal growth, so whilst keeping some control over blood glucose is required, it is not as critical as it is in later life. Studies have shown that the consequences of high blood sugar that lead to further complications in later life, do not start until the child is pre-pubescent, so the baby years can act as a period of grace.

The acceptable blood sugar level for a baby is therefore higher, at 8.3 to 11.1 mmol/l and this is the target figure parents should aim for in a baby.

It can also sometimes appear that the baby has recovered completely from diabetes. Unfortunately this is normal, and referred to as “the grace period”, where the child appears to be regulating the amount of blood sugar normally. It does not last, and when it passes, the child should be examined again by a doctor, so that a treatment plan for use at home can be implemented.

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Tips For Diabetic Exercises

It is very important to do diabetic exercises to be able to achieve good health, we have included some useful tips for diabetic exercises as many people don’t like to exercise because they perhaps have some health problems. There are many reasons why people avoid exercises, but what you need to remember is that to achieve optimal health, you need to include exercise in your daily routine. Listed below are some good reasons why you should exercise:

* Reduced stress and tension * Improvement on the body’s response to insulin which can lower your blood sugar levels * Increased energy levels * Improvement on sleep * Lowering of blood pressure and improve your cholesterol, which of course reduces the risk of heart disease Stronger Bones * Weight management, and * Improved mental outlook and general well-being

Following are some tips for a diabetic exercise session:

* Each time you start a diabetic exercise session, make a mental note to yourself about how important this is to your overall achievement to reaching optimum health * Try to do your exercise sessions at regular times on specific days * Try to do the exercise sessions with a family member or friend so that you can stay committed * Make sure that you wear comfortable clothing and most importantly good quality footwear as recommended by your podiatrist * Start your exercise sessions slowing and gradually increase your pace each time you exercise * If you are taking diabetes medication or insulin, it is vital that your carry jellybeans or glucose tablets with you all the time in case your blood glucose levels drop too low * Make sure that you wear sunscreen and a hat if suitable for your particular exercise * Make sure that you have plenty of water on hand at all times, you do not want to become dehydrated * If you are doing a longer exercise session, remember to take some short breaks as required, and * Do not take part in an exercise session if you are unwell as this will only make things worse

Please take note of the following example of a diabetic exercise session:

* Make sure that you warm up for at least five minutes so that you can prepare your body for a more intense exercise activity, this will help so that you do not cause any injury to yourself by having your muscles stiff. Some examples are swinging your arms or a gentle walk * Next you should do a more intense exercise activity like aerobics, which may include walking, swimming, gardening, dancing or cycling. This will get your heart rate going as well as your breathing rate, if you are up to it you can also include some resistance training that can include lunges, squats or push-ups. * And finally the cooling down stage that should last for at least five minutes. Try doing this with stretching exercises like reaching for the sky or touching your toes. This will allow for your body to stay flexible and will decrease your chance of any injuries, the other important aspect of cooling down is that it dissipates lactic acid which get formed when you exercise your muscles, by doing a cool down it will return your body to it’s normal state

It is also vital for you to check your blood glucose levels before, during and after your first couple of diabetic exercise sessions so that you can monitor how your body reacts to each individual exercise.

By implementing these diabetic exercise tips you will benefit from the great results and achieve optimum health.

Sue Kennedy is the author of the e-book “Defeat Diabetes Now,” and operates a membership channel devoted around health & wellness. Readers of her book also receive instant access to expert interviews, articles, diet plans and other resources designed to maintain overall good health and prevent disease. Discover how you can defeat diabetes now.