31 Dec Return to this Discussion

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affects how the body uses blood sugar, or glucose, for energy. Adolescents with diabetes should try to control their blood sugar, because blood sugar levels that are high or very low can be dangerous to an individual’s health. Managing diabetes can be difficult for adolescents, as they cannot produce or respond to insulin, which is often used to manage diabetes. Managing diabetes also is difficult for adolescents because they may be encountering many new experiences and learning to juggle many adult responsibilities. There have been many advances and scientific breakthroughs, such as oral medications and insulin pens; yet, treatment still can be overwhelming (Hood, Huestis, Maher, Butler, Volkening, & Laffel, 2006; Schreiner, Brow, & Phillips, 2000). While families may try to help adolescents manage their diabetes, there often is a need for independence at this age. How do you determine the appropriate age for an adolescent to self-manage his or her diabetes? How might families assist in the self-management of diabetes?

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 4 a brief description of the age in which you consider it appropriate for adolescents to begin self-management of their diabetes and explain why. Then, explain two potential barriers to adolescents managing their diabetes. Finally, describe one behavioral strategy a family may use to promote the self-management of diabetes in an adolescent and explain why it might be effective. Support your responses with the Learning Resources and other literature.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond by Day 6 to at least one of your colleagues who has an opposing position on the appropriate age for adolescents to begin self-management of their diabetes. Share insights from having read your colleague’s posting. Then explain if you would change position based on their posting and why.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.

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References

Hood, K. K., Huestis, S., Maher, A., Butler, D., Volkening, L., & Laffel, L. M. B. (2006), Depressive symptoms in children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes: Association with diabetes-specific characteristics. Diabetes Care, 29, 1389–1391.

Schreiner, B., Brow, S., & Phillips, M. (2000). Management strategies for the adolescent lifestyle. Diabetes spectrum, 13(2), 83. Retrieved from http://journal.diabetes.org/diabetesspectrum/00v13n2/pg83.htm