Type 1 Diabetes: Keeping Your Child Active
Type 1 Diabetes: Keeping Your Child Active
Being active is important for kids with type 1 diabetes. It good for their health and helps control blood sugar levels. But helping your child take part in a sport also brings some special challenges -- and “a lot of trial and error,” says Bethy Elrod, a mom living outside Atlanta whose 12-year-old twins both have type 1 diabetes.
Elrod’s daughter, Amalia, is a competitive swimmer and rides horses. Her son, Sawyer, plays soccer and baseball. “I believe in letting them do whatever they want,” Elrod says. “Type 1 shouldn’t be an excuse to not do anything.”
Diabetes Symptoms to Never Ignore
One of the keys to leading a healthy life with diabetes is to keep your glucose levels, or blood sugar, in check. As your main source of energy, glucose plays a big role in keeping your body working like it should. If you have either type of diabetes, you need to be aware of symptoms that may mean your glucose is out of balance.If your blood sugar is too low:
Read the Diabetes Symptoms to Never Ignore article > >
Here’s what to know so your child can also stay active and safe.
Get the OK from your doctor. All kids need a physical before they start a new sport. They also need a doctor’s approval. In most cases, “there shouldn’t be any restrictions to what a child or teenager with type 1 diabetes can do,” says Jane Chiang, MD, senior vice president of medical affairs and community information for the American Diabetes Association.
Understand the impact. How the activity will affect your child’s blood sugar varies. It depends on the type of activity and how long your child does it. Sweating a lot can make a difference. So can feelings of stress. “We’ve found that extreme exercise drops blood sugar, but in competitive situations, [the twins’] levels go up,” Elrod says. But that’s not always the case. Monitor your child closely to learn how each activity affects her.
Be prepared. Along with your child’s soccer cleats, or ice skates, make sure she keeps extra diabetes supplies in her bag. “A child with type 1 diabetes has to be more prepared than children that don’t,” explains Alison Massey RD, director of diabetes education at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. “It’s important for them to bring their glucometer, snacks, water, and glucose tablets or another source to treat hypoglycemia to all their activities.”
Check blood sugar often. You child should check her blood sugar levels before, during, and after every practice or game. A continuous glucose monitor can give more detailed, current information. Not having enough insulin in her blood and exercising anyway can put her at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). If her blood sugar is low, juice or glucose tablets can help quickly raise it. When it’s under 100 mg/dL, she may need a small carbohydrate snack (about 15 grams) to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
Elrod’s daughter, Amalia, is a competitive swimmer and rides horses. Her son, Sawyer, plays soccer and baseball. “I believe in letting them do whatever they want,” Elrod says. “Type 1 shouldn’t be an excuse to not do anything.”
Recommended Related to Diabetes
Diabetes Symptoms to Never Ignore
One of the keys to leading a healthy life with diabetes is to keep your glucose levels, or blood sugar, in check. As your main source of energy, glucose plays a big role in keeping your body working like it should. If you have either type of diabetes, you need to be aware of symptoms that may mean your glucose is out of balance.If your blood sugar is too low:
Read the Diabetes Symptoms to Never Ignore article > >
Here’s what to know so your child can also stay active and safe.
Get the OK from your doctor. All kids need a physical before they start a new sport. They also need a doctor’s approval. In most cases, “there shouldn’t be any restrictions to what a child or teenager with type 1 diabetes can do,” says Jane Chiang, MD, senior vice president of medical affairs and community information for the American Diabetes Association.
Understand the impact. How the activity will affect your child’s blood sugar varies. It depends on the type of activity and how long your child does it. Sweating a lot can make a difference. So can feelings of stress. “We’ve found that extreme exercise drops blood sugar, but in competitive situations, [the twins’] levels go up,” Elrod says. But that’s not always the case. Monitor your child closely to learn how each activity affects her.
Be prepared. Along with your child’s soccer cleats, or ice skates, make sure she keeps extra diabetes supplies in her bag. “A child with type 1 diabetes has to be more prepared than children that don’t,” explains Alison Massey RD, director of diabetes education at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. “It’s important for them to bring their glucometer, snacks, water, and glucose tablets or another source to treat hypoglycemia to all their activities.”
Check blood sugar often. You child should check her blood sugar levels before, during, and after every practice or game. A continuous glucose monitor can give more detailed, current information. Not having enough insulin in her blood and exercising anyway can put her at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). If her blood sugar is low, juice or glucose tablets can help quickly raise it. When it’s under 100 mg/dL, she may need a small carbohydrate snack (about 15 grams) to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
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