Type 2 Diabetes - Management of Diabetes in Children

The management of Type 2 diabetes in children is almost the same as for adults, only with a few modifications. If your child is newly diagnosed, you may be wondering about the various treatment options and management for this kind of health problem.

Here is a helping hand with four important points:

1. Routine blood sugar monitoring: This is one of the most important managements for childhood diabetes. Depending on what type of anti-diabetic medication or management your child is currently receiving, his or her blood sugar may be monitored as frequently as three times a day, or as seldom as once a day, or maybe once each week. Regular testing of your child's blood sugar is the only way to determine whether he/she has good control and is responding well to the prescribed medications.

But even if your child has regular blood sugar monitoring and is following a rigid eating schedule, the blood sugar can sometimes be uncontrolled without warning. As well as food intake, illnesses, stress, physical activity and exercise, and medications can affect your child's blood sugar control.

2. Eating healthy foods: For better control of Type 2 diabetes, encourage your child to eat healthy foods at home. Have the proper foods and beverages available. It's hard to drink sugar-free beverages when there is only sugary cola in the house. Healthy foods include vegetables, fruits and whole grains. A high fiber diet can help improve blood sugar levels as well as helping to keep weight normal.

Fast food restaurants have changed what we eat and how much we eat, as well as where we eat. Soda has replaced milk; ketchup and fries have replaced fruits and vegetables. Fast foods typically contain more saturated fat, more sugar or other sweeteners, and more salt than food prepared at home. Extra fat and sugar pile on the calories/kilograms.

3. Regular physical activity: Encourage your child to have his own physical activity/exercise routine. Regular exercise can improve the way his/her body utilizes sugar. And it can also help him/her decrease insulin resistance, the main pathophysiology for childhood Type 2 diabetes. However, remember physical activity may decrease your child's blood sugar level (BSL) also. Therefore, it is important to check his/her blood sugar before doing any type of exercise. And if the BSL happens to be a little on the low side, give a snack before your son/daughter engages in any exercise routine or play.

4. Medications: Prescribing medicine for Type 2 diabetes is an imperfect science that often involves trial and error. Many children can control their Type 2 diabetes with exercise and diet alone; some children may need special medications. According to Mayoclinic.com, metformin is the only oral anti-diabetic medication approved for the pediatric population. Metformin makes the cells more sensitive to insulin and also inhibits the release of stored glucose from the liver. If blood sugar is on target and there are no side effects, the medication regimen is a success.

Insulin administration via injection or pump, is another medication option for children with Type 2 diabetes.The decision about the best treatment option depends on your child's preference, his or her blood sugar level and the existence of other health problems and complications.