With students in the US starting testing the finals, a high schooler’s life right now can be very stressful. However, classmates with diabetes may have a lot more to do.
“Diabetes makes it really difficult for me to focus and do my job. After school, I generally enjoy doing something fun and relaxing like playing video games with my friends. But that also means that I neglect my diabetes. This often means that after my break I can’t focus because my blood sugar is bad, which makes it very difficult to do my job, ”said Jacob Linares, who is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 (most common in adolescents) is a chronic condition in which the pancreas does not produce little or no insulin. Insulin allows blood sugar (glucose) to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. Insulin deficiency can lead to high blood sugar, which can lead to fatigue, thirst, frequent urination, hunger and much more. In addition, there is low blood sugar known as hypoglycemia which has additional side effects.
A person with diabetes needs to monitor and maintain blood sugar in order to lead a healthy life. Self-care and self-management can take an average of one to three hours a day and, if done incorrectly, can save even more time due to the side effects of abnormal blood sugar.
The right amount of insulin is important because too little insulin can lead to high blood sugar and too much low blood sugar. The doctor carefully measures the amount of insulin for a patient. (Types of Insulin / CDC / cdc.gov / Public Domain)
“I spend about an hour a day taking care of myself. It’s also very passively waiting for my blood sugar to return to normal so I can continue my day, ”said Linares. “My sleep schedule is also messed up as I wake up in the middle of the night when my blood sugar is low or high.”
According to the CDC 2020 National Diabetes Statistics Report, approximately 10% of high school students have diabetes, which makes it a crucial factor to include in education.
“Type 1 diabetes affects more than just the child. We all need to help, especially when it comes to treating type 1 diabetes in school, ”said pediatric endocrinologist Peter Gerrits.
A study by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) found that students with poor self-management had lower GPA on average than students with good metabolism (blood sugar plays an important role in metabolism). There is also evidence that children with diabetes may have behavioral issues that affect school performance.
To help students with diabetes succeed, the ADA recommends that students create a Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP) to plan how a student will manage diabetes in and outside of a school setting. This includes discussing the plan with teachers and school staff so that they know how to react and properly deal with the situation and avoid misunderstandings. Often times, diabetics have to leave the classroom to get access to insulin or nutrition. Hence, teachers need to be aware of the possibility.
Another problem diabetics face is the increased risk and dangers of COVID-19. The ADA states that people with diabetes are more likely to have serious complications from COVID-19 and face serious symptoms. In addition, it is often the case that the parents of a diabetic child also have diabetes, which makes it even more important for students with diabetes to avoid COVID-19 for the safety of their family.
However, the ADA also states that “your risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 is likely to be lower if your diabetes is treated well.”
It is fair to say that in these difficult times, students with diabetes are increasingly faced with the challenge of staying healthy and safe. However, creating a safe environment and maintaining good self-sufficiency can lead to a positive lifestyle.
MD Endocrinology Sarena Ravi said, “The most important advice I give to patients, and really everyone, is to start taking care of your health today and listening to your doctor.”
