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Whether you're a parent of a young child, a teenager on a sports team or an adult juggling a busy job, managing diabetes means making small adjustments every day. Here's how to plan for three of the places where diabetes can feel most challenging.
According to the CDC, more than 350,000 children and teens under 20 in the US have diagnosed diabetes. Older kids can often manage much of their own care, but younger children rely on teachers and school nurses for support, and unstable glucose levels can affect how well a child can concentrate and learn.
Kids may feel embarrassed about being different from their friends, or not yet understand why their care matters. A clear, predictable routine for checking glucose, eating and taking insulin helps. Depending on their age, teach your child how to recognize the signs of high and low blood sugar and when to ask an adult for help. Your diabetes care team can help you work out what your child is ready to handle.
Some kids prefer to keep their diabetes low-key at school. A compact diabetes case keeps supplies together and out of sight in a backpack.
In the US, students with diabetes are protected under federal law, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Most families work with the school on two documents:
The American Diabetes Association's Safe at School program has templates and guidance. A simple communication notebook or app between home and school can also help teachers share any concerns.
Exercise is good for everyone, and diabetes shouldn't stop teens from playing the sports they love. It does take some planning. Activity can lower blood sugar during and after exercise, while intense or competitive exercise can sometimes push it up. Hormonal changes during puberty can also make insulin less effective, with research showing insulin sensitivity can drop by around 30% during these years.
Weakness, shakiness, headache and hunger can be signs of a low. For longer sessions, keep fast-acting carbs and a snack such as fruit or a granola bar in the gym bag, and follow the plan your care team has given you for exercise.
Experts at Joslin Diabetes Center point out that a medical ID can speak for you when you can't. For athletes, a sports band or silicone bracelet is a practical option. Make sure coaches and at least one teammate know what to do if you need help.
Being active brings more than physical benefits. Exercise physiologist Dr. Sheri Colberg notes that physical activity can help counteract the negative effect a chronic condition can have on how teens see themselves, by building confidence.
Many people manage diabetes at work without any issues. It can still help to plan ahead so your care fits around your job.
Store your diabetes supplies together, in a drawer or a travel case, so they're easy to grab and easy for a colleague to find in an emergency. If your insulin needs to stay cool during a commute or a long shift, an insulin cooling pouch can help.
You usually don't have to tell your employer you have diabetes. But if you need adjustments, such as breaks to check glucose or eat, or a place to store supplies, the Americans with Disabilities Act generally entitles you to reasonable accommodations. The American Diabetes Association and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission both have guidance. Your diabetes educator can help you plan what to say to your manager or colleagues.
Glucology is an Australian-owned brand, founded in Sydney in 2016. Trusted by 350,000+ customers worldwide, we design practical everyday accessories for people managing diabetes, including insulin cooling pouches, insulin pump belts and diabetes travel cases.
General information, not medical advice. Always talk to your diabetes care team about your care.
