Juvenile diabetes: workshop throws light on myths, facts

‘A healthy diet based on ethnic food choices is essential’

February 15, 2019 10:34 am | Updated 10:34 am IST - Tiruchi

Myths and facts about Type 1 diabetes in children were explained at an outreach programme organised by a city hospital recently. Over 20 children with diabetes and their parents received counselling on how to manage the chronic health condition successfully.

Titled ‘Young super sweet heroes meet’, an initiative of The Hormone Clinic, Tiruchi, provided a platform for parents and children to know more about Type 1 diabetes (also known as juvenile diabetes). The condition affects the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin, a hormone needed to allow sugar to enter cells to produce energy.

Addressing the gathering, S. S. Jegaram, orthopaedic surgeon, and Veena Jegaram, obstetrician-gynaecologist, came out with various myths and facts about Type 1 diabetes, and explained how parents could come to terms with the diagnosis.

“If one is able to keep the sugar levels under control, there is no limit to what one can achieve,” said Dr. Jegaram.

“The entire family must be involved in helping the diabetic child feel at ease with his or her medical condition. Being overprotective only adds to their sense of social isolation,” he added.

Said Dr. Veena: “For the past few years, we have been seeing cases of young Type 1 diabetic women undergoing a lot of emotional turmoil to bear children because every time the sugar goes out of control, it will directly affect the baby. Once they cross the abortion risk, these mothers also face the danger of the child having congenital deformities.”

Both doctors said a healthy diet based on ethnic food choices was essential to keeping blood sugars under control.

“We have to avoid giving children pre-packaged snacks like potato chips or sweetened drinks, and street food. It is better to go for home-cooked traditional fare like idlis, idiappams and millets,” said Dr. Veena. “There’s a lot of misinformation about what is beneficial for a diabetic diet, so we must check with a medical professional and also test at home to decide on what is okay for a patient to eat.”

The workshop was organised by Sakthivel Sivasubramaniam, endocrinologist, and Abhirami, homeopathy consultant. It included games for the participating children and a facility for free endocrine consultation, insulin and glucose monitoring devices.

The Hormone Clinic has also launched a helpline, 7373830303, for children with diabetes.

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