New research suggests a correlation between the stress levels of teens with Type 1 diabetes and their monitoring of the disease, according to a recent article from HealthDay News.
In examining 147 diabetic teens over a six month period, researchers found that younger teens who started taking more responsibility for managing their diabetes themselves showed worse A1C test results if they experienced increased conflict with their parents. An A1C test measures blood sugar control over a period of several months. People with Type 1 diabetes need to inject insulin into their body because they do not possess the ability to make the blood glucose-regulating hormone.
Essentially, the study’s authors say that many teens and young adults do not manage their disease as well as they should starting at around age 12. They note that the patient’s A1C results continue to climb for a number of years before finally declining in their mid-20s. The study puts some data and statistics behind what many Type 1 diabetics considered to be their rebellious stage.
We recently posted an article on Diabetes News Hound about why this phenomenon is a common among teens with diabetes. The reality is that, when faced with the scary and potentially dire consequences of diabetes, many teens become overwhelmed with such serious issues. They incorrectly assume they will not live a long or healthy life and therefore don’t see the need to take care of themselves properly. You can check out the column by our expert Tammy Galligher here: Does It Take a Diabetic To Know A Diabetic?
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