Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects both adults and children. According to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 1.1 million children and adolescents worldwide live with Type 1 diabetes.

With this diabetes, the body loses its ability to produce insulin. On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes that affects thousands of children below 18 years old. Unfortunately, diabetes has no cure. However, with diabetes management, children can lead healthy lives.

How Does Morning Affect Child Diabetes?

The morning period plays an essential role in managing diabetes, especially in children. The reason is that the body undergoes a lot of changes, including the natural morning increase in hormones like cortisol and insulin resistance in the body.

Here is how morning affects child diabetes.

Breakfast

The morning period is when children with diabetes benefit most from a nutritious breakfast. Skipping breakfast increases the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels), which can cause fatigue, irritability, and dizziness.

Eating breakfast regularly improves insulin sensitivity, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels in the body. However, not all breakfast meals are suitable for diabetic children. The breakfast should be rich in proteins, carbohydrates with high-fiber value, and low in saturated and trans fats.

Such a breakfast can include boiled eggs, oatmeal, or whole-grain toast.

Stress Levels

Children have busy schedules, and mornings can cause a lot of stress. If children have to endure stressful mornings every day, then their blood sugar levels could surge.

For instance, rushing a child to wake up too early, running to school, and fear of being late could result in increased blood sugar levels. On the other hand, if the child has a good night’s sleep and wakes up to a stress-free environment, the blood sugar levels will remain stable.

Physical Activity

Physical activity is critical in the morning, as it helps to stabilize blood sugar levels effectively. When a child exercises in the morning, the blood pumps to the muscles, and the muscles absorb glucose from the body.

Physical activities such as biking, walking, or jogging are recommended for diabetic children in the morning. However, it is essential to talk to a doctor before starting any physical activity program to avoid any risks.

Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels

The morning period is an ideal time to measure blood sugar levels in diabetic children. In the morning, the insulin doses and foods that children eat the night before affect their sugar levels.

Therefore, monitoring their blood sugar levels in the morning is critical. Blood sugar levels in diabetic children also tend to rise naturally in the morning, known as the dawn phenomenon. This increase is due to changes in hormones like cortisol and the liver’s inability to release stored glucose into the blood.

By monitoring blood sugar levels, parents can adjust their child’s insulin dosage for the day and prevent spikes in glucose during the day.

Biofeedback Therapy

Biofeedback therapy is a technique that diabetes management experts use to help diabetic children in the morning. Biofeedback therapy involves measuring and correcting physiological responses in the body to a specific stimulus.

This technique can help diabetic children manage their blood sugar levels by setting goals and continuously measuring their progress. Biofeedback therapy can also help diabetic children cope with stress, anxiety, and depression, which tend to affect blood sugar levels in the morning.

Sleep

Sleep is an essential factor in diabetes management, especially in children. A lack of sleep can affect blood sugar levels, while adequate sleep can help control glucose levels in diabetic children.

Parents should ensure that their children get enough sleep, as a regular sleep routine can contribute to stable blood sugar levels.

Hydration

Hydration is crucial for diabetic children, especially in the morning. When a child hydrates after a prolonged period of sleep, their blood sugar levels stabilize, and their bodies start functioning correctly.

Parents should ensure that their diabetic children drink plenty of water in the morning to prevent dehydration, which can raise blood sugar levels.

Sticking to a Diabetes Management Plan

Parents of diabetic children should work collaboratively with their doctor to design a diabetes management plan and follow it.

The plan should include getting enough sleep, waking up on time, having a nutritious breakfast, maintaining hydrating, monitoring blood sugar levels, and taking insulin doses. A diabetes management plan should be flexible enough to accommodate changes in the child’s schedule, such as vacations or sick days.

Conclusion

The morning period is crucial in diabetes management, especially in children.

Parents can help their diabetic children manage their blood sugar levels by ensuring that they eat a nutritious breakfast, maintain good sleep hygiene, stay hydrated, and monitor their blood sugar levels. A diabetes management plan is essential to provide a regular routine that is flexible enough to accommodate changing schedules.