Sacred Heart - Inspiring Health

with Diabetes IS YOUR GROWING TEEN READY TO HANDLE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGING DIABETES? TEENS FACE MANY tough lifestyle choices, and their decisions can have serious consequences for their health— especially if they have diabetes. For girls, the pressure to be thin can lead them to eat less, which can trigger more hypoglycemic episodes. For boys, trying to develop muscular, athletic bodies can result in nutritional choices out of sync with a diabetes-conscious diet. Boys especially tend to be embarrassed about their condition and attempt to hide diabetes from their peers, contributing to delaying or avoiding proper and timely self-care. Teens are also more likely than other age groups to abuse alcohol and drugs, which can wreak havoc on blood sugar levels. Help Is Here The new Outpatient Diabetes Program at St. Joseph's Hospital provides practical, detailed nutrition information to help people better manage their diabetes. Heather Krieger, MS, RD, Clinical Nutrition Manager at St. Joseph's, works with each patient individually, educating him or her about such topics as carb counting, meal planning, grocery shopping, and the relationship between food and medication. Our seamless referral process encourages patients with special needs to connect with other specialists as necessary. "While patients have access to volumes about diabetes on the Internet, vague, impersonal information online only goes so far," Krieger says. "Every diabetes patient has unique needs and requires specific strategies. Our program creates tailored management plans to maximize health and quality of life." Medicare and Medicaid will cover the cost of three educational sessions per year for most patients with diabetes. Ask your primary care provider to call 715.717.7382 to refer you to the Outpatient Diabetes Program at St. Joseph's. FINDING A BALANCE Add to that mix a desire for independence, but a great deal of maturity is necessary when it comes to a teen actively managing the needs that accompany his or her diabetes. "Teenagers should begin taking on the lion's share of responsibility for their diabetes and have a firm understanding of insulin administration and blood glucose monitoring," says Tom Joles, MD, SH, FC-A, Family Practice Physician at Sacred Heart Family Care – Arcadia. "However, I don't recommend parents remove themselves from the equation entirely. The key is to find a balance and transfer responsibility gradually." Here are a few suggestions for a smooth transition to self-care: • Talk frequently and frankly with your teen about the effects of binge drinking and drug use on overall health and diabetes management. • Educate your teen about diabetes care basics, such as checking blood sugar and eating right. • Encourage your teen to be open about his or her condition with friends. • Teach your teen how to schedule medical appointments. • Transition your teen—between ages 17 and 18—from a pediatrician to an adult care provider. Set up meetings with a number of different physicians so your child can choose the provider he or she feels most comfortable with. > Is your teen with diabetes ready for an adult care provider? Call Sacred Heart Family Care – Arcadia at 608.323.1500 to schedule an appointment with a family practice physician. S TJ O E S C H I P FA L L S . C O M Coming of Age 15

• Cover