November is National Diabetes Month

This year’s focus is taking care of the youth who have diabetes.
Did you know? Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in school age youth in the United States, affecting about 193,000 youth under the age of 20 years old.

Understanding the signs and symptoms of diabetes can help youth receive earlier diagnosis and treatment for better outcomes.
Some of the common signs and symptoms are:
    •    Increased Thirst
    •    Frequent urination (possible bed wetting in a toilet-trained child)
    •    Extreme hunger
    •    Unintentional weight loss
    •    Irritability or behavioral changes
    •    Fruity smelling breath
It is extremely important to contact your physician if any of these symptoms are noted. It is important to work as a team with your child or teen and their health care team to help manage diabetes.

Some tips for managing Self-care of Diabetes:
    •    Manage blood glucose levels
    •    Encourage healthy eating
    •    Stay prepared for emergencies
    •    Monitor diabetic complications as soon as they are seen
    •    Seek mental health support when needed