Diabetes is a chronic, potentially life-threatening disorder that affects the body’s ability to regulate sugar in the blood. For parents with diabetic teens, preventive care is crucial for managing the condition. The guide below highlights some measures you can take to help keep your teen healthy.

What Is Their Ideal Diet?

An essential part of preventive care in controlling diabetes is diet—what your teenager eats will significantly affect their blood sugar levels. Among food groups, carbohydrates will have the most impact, so you should learn how to portion the ideal serving sizes in their meals. A balanced diet is critical to their health, and eliminating carbohydrates altogether isn’t wise, as it can lead to hypoglycemia, a dangerous condition from low blood sugar.

Keep away from sugary foods and beverages; however, these will come in handy when their blood sugar suddenly drops. Stick to whole grains, fruits, and vegetables as their healthy sources of carbohydrates, but include protein and fats as well. Draft a meal plan, but make sure it’s dietitian- or doctor-approved.

It’s also crucial to coordinate the meals with their medications to control the condition better. Too little or too much food will likely lead to sudden fluctuations in their blood sugar levels.

When Should They Visit the Doctor?

Even if you religiously monitor your child’s blood glucose levels and adjust these within the ideal range, you’ll still need the help of a healthcare professional. Regular checkups—at least once a month—allow your doctor to keep track of your teen’s blood sugar and possible repercussions of the illness.

Uncontrolled diabetes may delay their growth and development, as well as cause irreparable damage to their heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Depending on the condition’s severity, the interval between doctor’s appointments may be shorter or longer.

How Can They Keep Their Diabetes in Check?

Apart from a healthy, well-balanced diet and consistent monitoring of blood sugar levels, preventive care for diabetes also involves a few lifestyle changes to rein in the condition.

Encourage your teen to be more physically active, such as joining a sport or working out. Exercising causes the muscles to use glucose for energy, reducing its levels in the blood. Since hypoglycemia is highly possible, create an exercise schedule that coordinates with their meals and medications.

Emphasize to your teen the importance of getting enough sleep. Lack of rest can result in illnesses and stress that can raise blood sugar levels. At the very least, they should sleep eight hours a night.

Keep your teen’s diabetes in check with preventive care. Let the doctors at Ridgeview Internal Medicine help. Their physicians have provided quality medical services, including health exams and immunizations, throughout the community since 1992. As such, they have earned a reputation as one of the most trusted health care facilities in Rochester, NY. Call (585) 342-3870 to set an appointment or visit their website to browse their services.