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Supporting a Diabetic Teenager: What Parents/Caregivers Need to Know

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Diabetes (Type I or II) is a health condition that modern society is all too familiar with. It is a chronic metabolic disease in which the patient’s blood glucose is too high. This condition is caused due to insufficient insulin production by the pancreas.

In some cases, the patient’s body may not be using up the insulin effectively. Generally, diabetes is considered to be a disease of the aged. Older and middle-aged adults are at most risk of developing this disorder. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes affects nearly 422 million people worldwide. 

This disease leads to millions of deaths every year. What’s even worse is that it is no longer an age-related condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the youth (aged 20 years and younger) are developing diabetes.

This is a growing problem (which needs to be addressed at the earliest). Do you have a teenager/adolescent who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes? If yes, we understand how stressful and overwhelming the whole thing can be.

As a caregiver, your teen will lean on you for support. In this article, we will discuss four ways parents/caregivers can help their diabetic teen to successfully manage the condition.

Dramatic Surge in Diabetes among the Youth

The most important question is whether young people can develop a condition as serious as diabetes. It is predominantly a lifestyle disease, which means it is most likely to affect people with a highly sedentary lifestyle, poor dietary choices, and lack of regular exercise.

This may not always be the case, as some genetic factors can also contribute to the onset. Largely, it is difficult to box diabetes into a certain age barrier. Though considered to be a disease of aging, this condition has affected the youth significantly.

The CDC reveals a study conducted to observe the increasing rate of diabetes among young people (aged 20 and under). Besides the current status, the study helped predict the possible trend for 2060 based on mathematical models.

It was found that at the current rate, Type I cases would remain the same in the upcoming years, but Type II cases would rise by 70%. However, if new diabetes cases among the youth continue to rise (as they have in recent years), Type I cases would increase by 65% and Type II by 700%. This is shocking, to say the least.

In the overall analysis, it is believed that we may see more and more young people developing this condition in the next 40 years. The average age of diabetes diagnosis among the youth is found to be 13 years. One can only imagine the scenario if this trend remains, or worse yet, continues to rise.

How Parents/Caregivers Can Extend Support for Disease Management

If your teen has been diagnosed with diabetes, it is natural to feel helpless and overwhelmed. Let’s start by clarifying that medical science does not deem diabetes to be curable. However, it can be managed well with a good prognosis through dietary and lifestyle changes, weight management, etc.

Now, we will look at four effective ways in which you can support your teen’s disease management journey.

Avoid the Blame + Shame Route

It cannot be stressed enough that the first step in the road to diabetes management begins with creating a safe and non-judgmental space for your teen. Being as young as they are, such a diagnosis can carry with it a lot of shame (especially if poor lifestyle choices are the cause).

Refrain from treating their blood sugar number as a constant grade system. As much as you want to fix their problem, choose the route of empathy and compassion first. Let them vent and acknowledge the fact that this disease takes a toll on one’s mood.

Simply asking them what you can do to support them better will go a long way. Keep in mind that what feels like support to one person may not be so to another. So, let your teen steer the ship and listen to their needs closely.

Seek Professional Help

As the primary caregiver and supporter, you need to educate yourself about the disease. However, this happens best with the help of a professional healthcare team. The best part is that you do not need a physician to monitor progress at all times.

Nurse practitioners with a post-master’s FNP certificate online or offline are exclusively trained in chronic lifestyle disease management. Two key areas of focus for these healthcare professionals are patient education and preventative care.

In the case of your teen, they will educate you on the necessary steps to take for optimal health. According to Carson-Newman University, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are skilled at holistic advanced nursing and will assess any lifestyle behaviors or genetic factors that may contribute to this illness.

They will keep track of progress, glycemic control, meal planning, and exercise to keep blood glucose levels under check, prevent complications, and manage weight effectively.

Become Healthier Together as a Family

In many cases, it is found that a young person’s poor lifestyle choices are simply an extension of their family. This means you must take a long hard look at everyone’s dietary choices (not just your teen).

An example would be the refrigerator being stocked with soda cans and other sugary drinks. If your adolescent watches you consume all that junk regularly, it is less likely that they will want to eat or drink healthier for disease management.

It’s time to make a healthy lifestyle a team effort. Whether at home or dining outside, make it a practice to choose nutritious food options. Also, look up some delicious diabetic-friendly recipes online and prepare them together as a family. Throw out all food items that have a high amount of sugar (and artificial ingredients).

Also, plan a fun outing that involves a lot of jogging, running, and playing. When your teenager sees that all family members are participating in a healthier lifestyle (albeit in a fun way), they will feel encouraged to join in.

Celebrate the Wins (Big + Small)

We understand that supporting a teenager in diabetes management can be stressful and exhausting, to say the least. This only goes on to show how much more overwhelming it will be for the one suffering from it.

Your teen needs the constant reassurance that every little effort they make towards recovery matters. So, waste no time and celebrate all their milestones (no matter how big or small). Perhaps they were able to go a week without consuming their favorite sports beverage – give them a high-five for it!

Nothing will motivate them to keep pressing forward than knowing that you’re their biggest cheerleader. Speaking to them with optimism and respect will build their self-esteem and encourage them to make more positive changes.

Finally, there will be times when mere listening will not yield the desired results. For instance – you may observe some atypical changes in your teen’s weight, appetite, energy levels, or mood. When that’s the case, express your concerns in a non-judgmental way.

An example would be asking them to join in any enjoyable activity when you find them isolating themselves or becoming depressed. Something as fun as hiking or a family movie should help lift their spirits.

Finally, it is vital for you as the caregiver to manage stress, eat well, and take plenty of rest. Do not hesitate to ask for family or professional help if the going gets rough. Parents and their teens aren’t perfect, and that’s perfectly alright. Do your best, celebrate the victories, and keep moving forward. It’s all about taking it one day at a time.

The post Supporting a Diabetic Teenager: What Parents/Caregivers Need to Know appeared first on United Patients Group.



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Cannabinoids

Staying Trim During The Holidays With Marijuana THCV

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The holidays are fun and full of family, activities, and food.  But does marijuana have a natural  secret weapon to help you at least not gain weight this season?

The holidays are here – turkeys, pie, and family favorites. Along with Christmas cookies, holiday cocktails, everything adds up and starts to make a difference in how clothes fit. On average, people gain between 1-2 pounds in November and December. Some studies suggest people gain more, with an average of 2–5 pounds. But is marijuana’s THCV your natural holiday weight loss plan. While Ozempic has been the wonder drug of weight loss, cannabis a natural plant used for thousands of years in medicine. Why not use to look good also? Here is some information and also advice on how much to take and how it works.

The most famous cannabinoids are THC or CBD. Legal to over 50% of the country and used by millions across the country.  While they are the most commonly used cannabinoids, the cannabis plant contains many other medically beneficial cannabinoids including THCV. Although THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) is similar to THC, it contains its own unique benefits.

Research points to THCV’s ability to block the body’s rewarding sensations while eating different foods. If you’re looking to keep your food cravings at bay or prevent the munchies, check out strains high in THCV, which will suppress your appetite, especially during the holidays.

Photo by Olga Tsareva/Getty Images

It has also been found that THCV in its purest form can calm the unreasonable urge to overeat while also reducing hunger cravings. Thus, consumption of THCV can be beneficial for those who struggle with weight gain and/or food craving. Since THCV can help curb one’s appetite, researchers believe there’s a potential for THCV helping people fight obesity and other related health issues.

It is important to manage the dosage. Start with a low dose of 5-7.5mg of THCV for appetite suppression effects. Options for taking THCV include gummies, tinctures, vapes, or THCV-rich cannabis strains Take THCV in the morning to help with focus and energy. Start on teh weekend so you can make sure it works in a way which is comfortable. Consume it with food to increase absorption.

Gummies and tincture/oils are the easiest ways to consume to manage the dosage. Start with half a gummy or 1 full gummy (typically 10mg) and adjust based on your response. You can increase to 2 gummies per day if needed. For tinctures, start with half a dropper or less and adjust as needed. Take THCV about an hour before you normally start feeling hungry

RELATED: Which Is More Effective For Marijuana Patients, THC Or CBD?

THCV should be part of a healthy routine including exercise and proper rest. Research on cannabis continues, to using THCV is not a long term solution, consider it for the holidays. As usual, take to your health professional to make sure it doesn’t interact poorly with any prescribed medications.  Start low and grow so you can pay attention how your body and mind reacts.



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Cannabinoids

Is Marijuana’s THCV Your Natural Holiday Weight Loss Plan

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The holidays are fun and full of family, activities, and food.  But does marijuana have a natural  secret weapon to help you at least not gain weight this season?

The holidays are here – turkeys, pie, and family favorites. Along with Christmas cookies, holiday cocktails, everything adds up and starts to make a difference in how clothes fit. On average, people gain between 1-2 pounds in November and December. Some studies suggest people gain more, with an average of 2–5 pounds. But is marijuana’s THCV your natural holiday weight loss plan. While Ozempic has been the wonder drug of weight loss, cannabis a natural plant used for thousands of years in medicine. Why not use to look good also? Here is some information and also advice on how much to take and how it works.

The most famous cannabinoids are THC or CBD. Legal to over 50% of the country and used by millions across the country.  While they are the most commonly used cannabinoids, the cannabis plant contains many other medically beneficial cannabinoids including THCV. Although THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) is similar to THC, it contains its own unique benefits.

Research points to THCV’s ability to block the body’s rewarding sensations while eating different foods. If you’re looking to keep your food cravings at bay or prevent the munchies, check out strains high in THCV, which will suppress your appetite, especially during the holidays.

Photo by Olga Tsareva/Getty Images

It has also been found that THCV in its purest form can calm the unreasonable urge to overeat while also reducing hunger cravings. Thus, consumption of THCV can be beneficial for those who struggle with weight gain and/or food craving. Since THCV can help curb one’s appetite, researchers believe there’s a potential for THCV helping people fight obesity and other related health issues.

It is important to manage the dosage. Start with a low dose of 5-7.5mg of THCV for appetite suppression effects. Options for taking THCV include gummies, tinctures, vapes, or THCV-rich cannabis strains Take THCV in the morning to help with focus and energy. Start on teh weekend so you can make sure it works in a way which is comfortable. Consume it with food to increase absorption.

Gummies and tincture/oils are the easiest ways to consume to manage the dosage. Start with half a gummy or 1 full gummy (typically 10mg) and adjust based on your response. You can increase to 2 gummies per day if needed. For tinctures, start with half a dropper or less and adjust as needed. Take THCV about an hour before you normally start feeling hungry

RELATED: Which Is More Effective For Marijuana Patients, THC Or CBD?

THCV should be part of a healthy routine including exercise and proper rest. Research on cannabis continues, to using THCV is not a long term solution, consider it for the holidays. As usual, take to your health professional to make sure it doesn’t interact poorly with any prescribed medications.  Start low and grow so you can pay attention how your body and mind reacts.



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American Psychological Association

Can Gummies Bring Down Election Anxiety

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Tensions are high, but can hemp, CBD, or cannabis gummies help you relax – especially with microdosing?

The American Psychological Association recent poll should 69% of American’s are experiencing anxiety about the election. Compared with the previous two presidential elections, stress related to the 2024 election was slightly higher than in 2020 (69% vs. 68%) but significantly higher than in 2016 (52%). Stress related to the current election appeared to be driven, in part, by the potential consequences from the election results.  The barrage of news, memes, friends complain is making it hard on people’s mind and body. Can gummies bring down election anxiety?

Anxiety can cause feelings of fear, dread, or uneasiness, and can make it hard to concentrate or make decisions. People with anxiety may also feel irritable, tense, or restless, and may have a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom. Not only does it leave you feeling miserable, it can interfere with your job and relationships. A short term solution may come from the cannabis plant. Can gummies bring down election anxiety?

Studies have shown the cannabis plant can help with a variety of medical ailments, including anxiety. A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led research team has added to evidence that a chemical found naturally in cannabis (also known as marijuana) can — in the right amounts — lessen the anxiety-inducing effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive sister chemical found in cannabis.

The cannabis plant produces marijuana (with THC), CBD, and hemp. Studies show all can help with anxiety at some level, but is dependent on dosage.  Microdosing a new trend to provide a very low dosage to take off the edge but to stay focused. Most gummies are either 5 or 10 mg. A microcode would be between 2.5 – 5 mg.  So a half or third and you can avoid the “high” while reducing the anxiety and moving into a better state of mind.

Marijuana Gummies

Marijuana gummies are a way for adults to cope with anxiety. But you should start with a low dose as you want to have a calming effect with out the extra bells and whistles.  Consider 2.5 mg and see how it goes from there….and recognize it will take 45 minutes to an hour for impact.

CBD Gummies

While some CBD gummies products promise and don’t deliver, Epidiolex is the only FDA-approved prescription CBD medicine, which among many things, means that it has a safety and efficacy profile that has been thoroughly evaluated in clinical trials. CBD doesn’t have the THC high as with marijuana so this would completely avoid any high. It is also a popular aide to sleep issues.

Other ways to reduce anxiety during this time is to focus on what you can control and what positive actions you can take. it is also important to set boundaries with how much information you will consume (including social media) and the conversations you will have.  Mostly, try to focus on things which help you relax.

 



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