For children with diabetes, low blood sugar (medically known as hypoglycemia) is a concern that parents must closely monitor. Low blood sugar can have serious consequences for a child’s health, but with effective strategies and methods, parents can help their children safely manage this condition.
I. Key Strategies for Managing Low Blood Sugar
1. Follow your child’s diabetes treatment plan
Ensure your child eats on schedule to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The treatment plan will detail the times and types of food to eat. Even a half-hour delay in eating can lead to low blood sugar.
2. Monitor Insulin Doses
Ensuring the correct preparation and administration of insulin doses, especially in young children, requires close parental supervision. If a child’s blood sugar levels are consistently low at any given time of day, it is recommended to consult with the diabetes care team.
3. Maintain a regular eating schedule
Eat meals and snacks on schedule, and avoid delaying meals, as even a half-hour delay can lead to low blood sugar.
- Carry a fast-acting sugar with you
If your child experiences symptoms of hypoglycemia, immediately offer them a sugary food, such as orange juice, milk, cake frosting, or hard candy.
- Monitor blood sugar levels during exercise
Check and adjust your child’s blood sugar levels before and after exercise. Exercise can cause blood sugar to drop, so special care is required.
- Educate your child about the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Help your child understand the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and what to do if they experience these symptoms.
- Educate other family members
Let family members, guardians, and school staff know how to recognize hypoglycemia, how to use glucagon, and when to seek emergency medical help.
- Use medical identification
Make sure your child wears or carries a medical identification badge indicating they have diabetes and includes emergency contact information.
- Keep a fast-acting sugar readily available
Keep a fast-acting sugar readily available at school and home, and make sure your emergency glucagon kit is up to date and known how to use it.
2. How to Make the Most of Your Child’s Doctor’s Visits
1. Clarify the Purpose of the Visit
Before the visit, clarify the purpose of the visit and the goals you hope to achieve.
2. Learn About Other Treatment Options
Ask your doctor about possible treatment options so you can make the best decision for your child’s health.
3. Prepare a List of Questions in Advance
Prepare a list of questions you would like your doctor to answer before the visit.
4. Record New Diagnoses, Medications, and Treatments
During the visit, record any new diagnoses, medications, treatments, or tests, as well as any new instructions provided by the doctor.
5. Understand the Consequences of Your Child Refusing Treatment
If your child refuses medication, tests, or treatment, understand the possible consequences and communicate with the doctor.
6. Know the Doctor’s After-Hours Contact Information
Knowing how to contact your child’s doctor after hours is crucial for handling unexpected illnesses or health concerns.
7. Keep Track of Follow-Up Appointments
Record the date, time, and purpose of your child’s follow-up appointments.
8. Understand the Reasons and Benefits of New Medications or Treatments
Understand why new medications or treatments are being prescribed for your child, how they will help your child, and possible side effects.
9. Understand the Reasons and Meanings of Tests or Treatments
Understand why a certain test or treatment is needed and what the results may mean.
3. Important Considerations
- If your child has diabetes and is unable to sense the symptoms of hypoglycemia, talk to your diabetes healthcare professional.
- Some people with diabetes may not feel the common symptoms of hypoglycemia and therefore require more monitoring and medical attention.
- Watch for changes in your child’s behavior, such as sleepiness, irritability, or confusion, and check their blood sugar levels regularly.
- A diabetes healthcare professional can help manage diabetes, monitor blood sugar levels, and recommend medications or treatments.
- Stay in touch with your healthcare team and seek medical help if you have any questions.
- With proper care, people with diabetes can lead healthy and active lives.
Managing hypoglycemia in children with diabetes is crucial to preventing serious complications. Parents can help their children safely manage hypoglycemia by monitoring blood sugar levels, following a treatment plan, recognizing symptoms, and having fast-acting sugars readily available.