Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
Health

It Feels Like A Life Sentence: A Q&A With A Diabetes Expert Shazhan Amed

Darpan News Desk, 04 Oct, 2019 07:01 PM

    Dr. Shazhan Amed is a pediatric endocrinologist at BC Children’s Hospital, working as part of a team to transform diabetes care throughout the province.


    We sat down with her to learn more about her team’s work to help improve the lives of kids in BC who are living with diabetes.


    Tell us why you’re passionate about the work you do.


    My passion is fueled by directly working with patients and families to gather their perspectives on their diabetes care and integrate their ideas into new ways of delivering care. This allows me to make real and meaningful impact that truly addresses the needs of kids living with diabetes.

     

    What is type 1 diabetes?


    Type 1 diabetes affects 90 per cent of kids with diabetes, and is a serious, lifelong disease that can’t be prevented or cured.

    Unlike type 2 diabetes which can sometimes be managed by a healthy lifestyle, the only way to manage type 1 diabetes is to maintain the right levels of insulin, a hormone that’s essential for the body to produce energy. Without this, the disease can be life-threatening, and can lead to serious complications like heart or kidney disease, blindness and amputations.

     

    What daily challenges do kids face with type 1 diabetes?


    Imagine, as a child or teen, enduring four or more pricks and multiple insulin injections daily, interrupting activities often to check blood sugar levels, and counting carbohydrates at every meal. No wonder type 1 diabetes can often feel like a life sentence for these kids. With a whole life of wearisome routines ahead of them, they can suffer from emotional stresses like burnout, depression, anxiety and social isolation.

    This disease can be hard for anyone to endure, but for kids in particular, daily activities that make up a “normal” childhood– playing, eating their favourite foods, and even sleeping–are impacted by their condition.

     


    How is your team working to help these families, and improve diabetes care in BC?


    Not all kids in BC with type 1 diabetes live close by to the expert care and support they need to keep their medical condition under control. We’re determined to change this by giving all families in BC close access to expert pediatric diabetes care through virtual health, and by providing training, education and resources to community health care providers across BC.

    We are also committed to giving more kids and families access to the latest diabetes management technologies, and training on how to use them, to help make their day-to-day lives easier and reduce the stress of living with this complicated and lifelong disease.

     


    How is BC Children’s Hospital unique when it comes to diabetes care and research?


    BC Children’s is a Canadian leader in pediatric diabetes care and research, and has a team of highly trained specialists who are dedicated to providing the best care possible.

    The expert care we provide, coupled with the latest advancements in diabetes management technology, puts us in an ideal position to transform the way kids who are living with diabetes receive care,here in Vancouver and across the province. But we can’t do this alone. We rely on donations and the support of the community to make this happen.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Want Super Performance In Bed? Practice Yoga

    Want Super Performance In Bed? Practice Yoga
    More and more people are uncovering the benefits of practicing yoga, but little do they know that yoga can bring energy to the bedroom as well. Experts say that yoga can improve your sex life if it is done under proper guidance.

    Want Super Performance In Bed? Practice Yoga

    Key To Good Health, Wellbeing: 2 Hours A Week With Nature

    Key To Good Health, Wellbeing: 2 Hours A Week With Nature
    If you are looking for that elusive secret to good health and wellbeing, your search may stop now as a new large-scale study has found that spending just two hours a week in the neighbourhood park may do wonders for your mind and body.    

    Key To Good Health, Wellbeing: 2 Hours A Week With Nature

    Being Overweight Doubles Blood Pressure Risk In Kids

    Being Overweight Doubles Blood Pressure Risk In Kids
    Researchers have found that overweight kids have a doubled risk of high blood pressure, raising the risk of future heart attacks and strokes.    

    Being Overweight Doubles Blood Pressure Risk In Kids

    Can't conceive? Better to lay off pot

    Couples struggling to conceive are better off not smoking pot doctors say

    Can't conceive? Better to lay off pot

    Diet Soda Doesn't Help Kids Cut Calories: Study

    Diet Soda Doesn't Help Kids Cut Calories: Study
    Children and teenagers who consume low-calorie sweetened beverages take in more calories on a given day compared with those who drink water, says a study.

    Diet Soda Doesn't Help Kids Cut Calories: Study

    How Chronic Stress Promotes Breast Cancer Development

    How Chronic Stress Promotes Breast Cancer Development
    Chinese researchers have revealed the mechanism of how chronic stress promotes breast cancer development, shedding light on future clinical treatment for cancer.

    How Chronic Stress Promotes Breast Cancer Development