5 Exercise Tips For Kids With Type 1 Diabetes
For parents, their children are the most special in this world. Parents are usually there, guiding and preparing kids to face the big world. But if your child has type 1 diabetes, he or she will face even bigger challenges. As a parent, you need to be with your child more than ever.
Having a child with type 1 diabetes entails several trips to the pediatrician. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that happens when the immune system attacks insulin-making cells in the pancreas called beta cells. It is also known as juvenile diabetes.
Despite this condition, your young one can still live a full adult life with a proper diet and regular exercise. With the popularity of sedentary activities among the younger generation, it is crucial for kids with type 1 diabetes to exercise or even have fun in a jumping castle hire Brisbane inflatable. To help, here are five tips that you can do:
- Managing low blood sugar during or after exercise.
It is recommended that your child is in a stable condition before the exercise. It is possible that your kid can experience a low blood sugar or hypoglycemia episode during or after prolonged physical activity. It can occur when the sugar repository of the body is depleted. Watch out for low blood sugar signs such as headache, sweating, shaking, weakness, lightheadedness, confusion, anxiety, and feelings of hunger.
Bring a snack to avoid having low blood sugar levels. Your doctor can also recommend a reduced insulin dosage before the scheduled physical activity to prevent this from happening.
- Managing high blood sugar during or after exercise.
Blood sugar levels may also increase during or after an exercise. It can happen if the body releases extra glucose into the bloodstream because of the consumption of energy by your body muscles during physical activity. Watch out for signs of weakness, blurry vision, tiredness, extreme thirst in your child. Make sure that your doctor recommended the proper volume of insulin shot in case this happens during or after your exercise session.
- Check your blood sugar and take your insulin on time.
Take your insulin on time weeks before the scheduled physical activity. Make sure that his or her blood sugar level is stable too. You have to monitor both to make sure that the exercise session goes smoothly. For children who are wearing insulin pumps, make sure to ask your doctor if the pump can be taken off during the exercise. Always coordinate with your child’s physician if you plan on putting a regular exercise schedule to your little one’s daily activity.
- Eat right and bring snacks during exercise.
Start following a healthy diet regimen weeks before starting your exercise schedule. For the right meal plan, you can ask a dietician or your child’s doctor. Your child needs the proper combination of food to provide the energy he or she needs during the light workout. Make sure to bring some snacks and water before starting the physical activity. Bringing the proper food can help manage hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. So ask your doctor about the best snacks or food that can manage any change in the blood sugar levels of your child during exercise.
- Take control and have fun.
Let the kids take control of what they want to do. Do they want a jumping castle hire Brisbane inflatable? You can readily rent one online. Do they want to engage in sports? Let them choose the type of sports to participate in - with the permission of the physician. Give them a chance to do whatever they want to do and support them as much as possible. The most important things is that they are safe and they are having fun.
You cannot watch over your kids all the time but you can make sure that they are protected. If you have kids with type 1 diabetes, it is still possible to let them have the best life has to offer.
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