Exam stress among diabetic parents worries city doctors

Kids with stress experience fatigue, which impacts parents

NEW DELHI, 01/03/2013: a Student appearing for the CBSE class X and XII examinations seen with her parent outside a centre in New Delhi on Friday. Photo: V.V. Krishnan

It’s that time of the year when Board examinations are around the corner and stress levels are peaking. Interestingly, doctors are more worried about parents whose children are gearing up for exams, especially those with diabetes.

“Exams are tough on parents with type-2 diabetes. Of late, our clinics have been flooded with parents coming in with stress-related issues,” said A. K. Jhingan, the chairman of Delhi Diabetes Research Centre.

According to Dr. Jhingan, the exam season is stressful for both children and parents. “Every year during this period, we see parents with type-2 diabetes coming to us with increased blood sugar levels. Studies suggest that stress causes the body to release hormones that raise blood sugar,” he explained.

Struggling to cope

What worries doctors further is the fact that children suffering from chronic stress experience phases of irritability and fatigue. “This further affects parents. We have now come up with sessions to help people combat stress,” Dr. Jhingan added.

Dr. Anil Bansal of the Delhi Medical Association said that during the exam season “diabetic parents struggle to adjust to their treatment regimen or deal with the psychosocial pressures of the disease.”

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), meanwhile, has decided to allow diabetic students to carry sugar tablets, chocolate, candy and water bottles inside the exam centres — a move doctors have lauded.

According to Dr. Sanjay Kalra, vice-president of the South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies, “The CBSE’s decision to provide a snack break during the Board examinations is welcome.”

“Students with diabetes need a dose of insulin with each meal. If a proper meal is not consumed between the examination hours between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., it may lead to a drop in blood sugar levels — a condition called hypoglycemia. This can lead to headaches, loss of concentration and irritability. Exam stress and hypoglycemia can cause blackouts and fainting. The CBSE has set an example and, hopefully, other Boards will follow,” said Dr. Kalra.