Physical Challenges and Emotional Impacts of Living with Type 1 Diabetes

Physical Challenges and Emotional Impacts of Living with Type 1 Diabetes

The management of type one diabetes is a demanding task for the patient. There is need for continuous blood glucose monitoring. The patient also has to adjust the dosages of insulin based on the recorded level of glucose in blood (Breton et al., 2018). The patient is also tasked to check out for possibilities of developing hypoglycemia. As a result, the patient is bound to feel drained emotionally from time to time especially when there is inadequate management of the symptoms even after medication. It is crucial for the family and the primary care provider to offer support to the patient is ensuring adequate self-care maintenance. The patient should also be offered emotional support when necessary to ensure that he does not lose hope in the pursuit of the treatment objectives.

Another cause of emotional strain is the effect of the disease process on the relations of the patient. It is necessary to have support from the family which varies based on availability of the members and their willingness to support the patient. While the support aims at ensuring a better outcome for the patient, it also creates a dependency situation that can affect the relationship. In the case of the fifteen year old Zack, there is need for the development of personal responsibility in medication and glucose monitoring at a stage of development where behavior is unpredictable (Phelan et al., 2018). The parental needs will also be increased with a corresponding increase in the level of stress for the parents until they are sure that Zack understands the self-care approach expected of him.

Exercises play a crucial role in ensuring better regulation of glucose levels in the blood. There is increase in the delivery of oxygen into cells and an overall insulin sensitivity. Exercises also improves circulation which is associated with better management of the complication of diabetes such as retinal damage. As a result, Zack’s involvement in cricket will not be affected if