Does Aromatherapy Reduce Anxiety in Children With Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that occurs as a result of the pancreas not producing enough insulin and affects the quality of life.
It is an important health problem that can affect lifelong. Type 1 diabetes in children
it is quite common. The World Health Organization describes this metabolic disorder as a "silent epidemic".
defines it.
The biggest complication experienced by diabetic patients after pancreatic problem
is anxiety. high level of anxiety; cognitive, behavioral, emotional and physical stimuli
It is a response of the body. Proper management of this response is critical in children with diabetes.
Unmanaged or ignored anxiety causes constant restlessness in children.
It can affect every aspect of their lives. Not only that, changes in appetite, muscle
Physiological symptoms such as tension, headache, sleep disturbance and palpitation
also lead to its development.
Medications prescribed to reduce anxiety contain a substance called "benzodiazpine".
The use of benzodiazpine can lead to nausea, vomiting and dependence on the drug. Also many
parents refuse to use anti-anxiety/antidepressants for their children. aromatherapy
the use of non-pharmacological methods, such as ignoring the patient's health needs
It is complementary to existing treatment. Research with aromatherapy
It is effective in healing wounds, reducing anxiety, pain and fatigue.
has shown. In Iran, large studies on anxiety were privatized in 2017 and type 1
The effects of aromatherapy in children with diabetes were examined.
60 children aged 6-12 years with diabetes and without allergies were included as participants in this study.
was done. They were divided into aromatherapy and control (placebo) groups, with 30 people in each group.
Children in the aromatherapy group received inhalation aromatherapy with orange essential oil three times a week.
took. The control group continued their current care without receiving an aromatherapy session. All
children completed a questionnaire measuring their anxiety before and after the intervention. of data
It took two weeks to assemble. The results obtained are related to the anxiety of children receiving aromatherapy.
showed a significant decrease in their scores compared to those who did not (the placebo group).
Aromatherapy enters the body by being absorbed through the skin or inhaled (inhaled). In this study
Children who take orange essential oil by inhalation can detect the components of this essential oil by smell.
nerve to the limbic system. The limbic system is associated with emotions and feelings. Because
essential oils can be more effective on the mind and emotions than one might think. This study
As confirmed by the study, orange essential aromatherapy reduced anxiety in children with type 1 diabetes.
It is very effective in reducing Use of aromatherapy as part of holistic nursing
As it becomes widespread in this field, it will be a great help in repairing the damage of the "silent epidemic".
will be.

SOURCE
The Effect of Orange Essence Aromatherapy on Anxiety in School-Age Children with
Diabetes, Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal, 2017