As the term suggests, juvenile diabetes is the diabetes occurring at a young age. Its prevalence is now increasing at a fast pace. It is not only the responsibility of the parents to take care of the child but also of the people who are around such children all the day long, it could be the teachers at his school, the driver and conductor of the school bus he travels by, the tutor of his coaching classes. If we as adults know how to recognise and help the child improve in a critical situation then it would be a great help for the suffering child who himself is not much aware of his illness and related complexities. A child with diabetes may show increased thirst, increased frequency of urination or lethargy. At times it could be a possibility that these symptoms go unnoticed by the parents at home, but the adults dealing with them may recognise these and inform the parents so that they can take further step and get a health check up done to rule out such diseases. In a child with diagnosed diabetes the adults need to be careful. The glucose level plays a very crucial role over the health. It is harmful when raised, but more harmful when lowered. A keen observation will help in keeping the child fit. He should take meals at proper intervals; he should not starve himself or overstress his body. The adults should have knowledge of the emergency medicine that may be required to be given in case of sudden ill health. At least the adults should know where exactly the child keeps his medicine in his bag so that even if he can’t, the teacher can help him in getting the medicine when needed. Some children need to take insulin injections daily, it becomes a difficult task to prepare the child daily for the pain of the needle, the person needs to convince him, handle him tactfully so that even if reluctantly, at least the child will agree to take the injection. We all know children are fond of sweets. Time will come when they will demand for sweets seeing others having, the adults will have to pacify him and give him alternative options. The most difficult issue arises when one has to cope up with the peer pressure. The child may get mocked at or bullied at school for having such a disease or even for going to washroom repeatedly. The adults should educate other children with consent of the parents of the diabetic one, about the disease and how they can help their friend. They will be the best caretakers, because more than teachers or parents the friends are around a child the whole day. The child’s ability to concentrate may weaken; the teachers need to be supportive and encouraging in such cases.
REFERENCES
Managing type 1 diabetes in school: Recommendations for policy and practice
Retrieved from: http://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/type-1-diabetes-in-school
Treating Type 1 Diabetes
Retrieved from: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/endocrine/treating_type1.html
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation : Improving lives. Curing type 1 Diabetes
Retrieved from: http://jdrf.org/
