What is Diabetes? - Animated Video

Kids With Diabetes - Family Support Makes All the Difference

Almost every kid's dream in life is to be normal, but that can be difficult for a kid with diabetes. There are many things these children that other children, and even other adults do not have to do, and these can be a major adjustment for your child and family. It is important, as a parent, to educate yourself about these changes and be prepared for them so you may better help your child.

 

It is essential to be honest with your child about their disease and it's dangers. You will have told your kid what changes need to be made in regards to food, but candy and sugar can be a powerful temptation for little mouths. This means you'll need to monitor your child closely in regards to what they eat.

 

You'll also be responsible for getting your kid with diabetes used to the medication and possibly insulin that will part of their daily regimen. Insulin shots may be particularly difficult for a child as these seem to make them feel the most different from other children.

 

It's easier for your kids with diabetes if the whole family take a step towards better health and makes similar adjustments, with limiting sweets and increasing whole fibers and vegetables. Perhaps your whole family can start a routine of exercise together.

 

Taking a united approach to your child's diabetes will make the child feel more supported, and allow less room for potentially dangerous slip ups. Work together as a family to make your kid with diabetes more prepared for their disease, and let them know they are just like other kids despite their condition, maybe even a little more special.

 

Kids with diabetes can sometimes be missed as kids have other growing pains. Knowing what the signs of juvenile diabetes are can really help your kids get treatment earlier. [http://www.diabetic-information.com/]

 

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Sick Day Management Tips when Your Child Has Type 1 Diabetes

How Illness Affects Your Child's Blood Glucose

 

Having a sick child can be challenging—getting time off work and securing a last-minute doctor's appointment isn't always easy. But when your sick child also happens to have type 1 diabetes, it presents a separate set of complications relating to insulin and blood glucose (blood sugar) management. This article covers some important considerations to keep in mind the next time your child with type 1 diabetes feels under the weather.

 

Checking Blood Glucose and Ketones
Even the most common ailments, such as a cold or flu, can cause your child's blood glucose levels to rise. Plus, some over-the-counter medications can cause blood glucose levels to increase even more. Complicating matters, your child's blood glucose levels may actually drop too low if he or she is vomiting or has stopped eating.

 

You just can't be certain how an illness will affect your child's blood glucose—that's why it's important to check their levels more often than you normally would. A general guideline to shoot for is to check their blood glucose every 2 to 3 hours, but remember—that's a guideline. Your child may require more or fewer checks, depending on your health care professional's recommendations.

In addition to checking blood glucose levels, you also need to check for the presence of ketones in the urine. In people with type 1 diabetes, common illnesses can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition characterized by acidic blood caused by the release of too many ketones.

 

Ketones are released when your body doesn't have enough insulin, so it's important to check your child's urine regularly (usually every 4 hours) until there are no ketones detected. If ketones are still present, that's a sign that your child needs more insulin. There are 2 ways to check ketones: using urine ketone strips or a meter that's much like checking blood sugars but with a special test strip.

You can read more about ketoacidosis in our article about type 1 diabetes complications.

 

Insulin Adjustments During Sick Days
Oftentimes, your child may not want or be able to eat when sick. Even so, it's still essential that your child keeps taking insulin when he or she is sick. Without insulin, the body will resort to burning fat for energy, and this can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis.

 

Because illness can wreak havoc on blood glucose levels, you will likely need to adjust your child's insulin dosage. The degree of adjustment is completely unique to your child. Plus, the severity of the illness and treatments used also factor in (remember, some over-the-counter medications can affect your child's blood glucose).

 

Use your child's blood glucose levels as a guide when adjusting insulin. If you have any questions about how to adjust your child's insulin on sick days, call your health care professional.

 

Food and Drink Guidelines
Certain nutritional considerations on sick days may help prevent potentially serious complications of type 1 diabetes. Make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids, as this will prevent dehydration and ketoacidosis. As a general rule, your child should drink small amounts of liquids—about a ½ cup—every hour. It's best for your child to drink slowly instead of in large gulps. Tea, broth, and of course, water, are ideal options.

 

If your child is unable to eat a normal meal, make sure he or she is taking in a certain amount of liquid or solid carbohydrates to prevent sudden drops in blood glucose. Fifteen grams of carbs every hour is a good amount to shoot for, but always follow the specific recommendations from your health care professional.

 

Below are some good examples of beverages and foods for sick days:

• Sugar-containing beverages (sugar-free liquids may be consumed if blood glucose levels are elevated)
• Fruit juice
• Sports drinks
• Jell-o
• Popsicles
• Broth-based soups
• Saltines
• Applesauce
• Bananas
• Toast
• Graham crackers

When to Seek Medical Attention
When your child has type 1 diabetes and is sick, there are a number of situations that warrant medical attention. If your child is having problems breathing and/or has had at least 3 episodes of vomiting or diarrhea within a single day, call your doctor. Also, if large amounts of ketones remain in your child's urine after several hours, seek medical attention. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns about adjusting your child's insulin dosage, don't hesitate to call your health care professional.

 

Source: http://www.endocrineweb.com