Archive for the ‘Diabetes/Insulin Disorders’ Category
Monday, May 26th, 2008 |
Juvenile diabetes is the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children. Very much the same as the disease in adults, when a child has diabetes their bodies are unable to make enough insulin or they cannot make proper use of the insulin that is made. When a child has type 1 diabetes, daily insulin injections are necessary for the rest of their lives.
Children are diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when their pancreas (the organ that produces insulin) does not make enough insulin on its own or not enough to process the food that is eaten into glucose. Glucose is how our bodies get energy from the food we eat. If a child’s body is not processing the food the sugar (glucose) is spilled into the urine without being used for energy. Juvenile diabetes is also known as an autoimmune disease. The child’s cells destroy the cells in the pancreas that are needed to make insulin.
There are greater risks and complications associated with diabetes when it exists in young children. A good health care team and due diligence on the parents’ part is going to be needed to ensure the child receives the best care possible. As a parent you will have to check your child’s blood sugar levels regularly using a blood glucose monitor. It will also be your responsibility to ensure that a proper diet and regular physical activity are part of your child’s life.
It is important that other people who care for your child when you are not around know that he or she has diabetes. They need to know what to do in case of an emergency and the special dietary requirements your child requires. It is recommended to get a bracelet or other form of identification that your child can wear that advises they have juvenile diabetes.
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Sunday, May 25th, 2008 |
It’s never fun when a child gets sick with a cold or flu. They don’t feel good, sometimes get grumpy and need to be taken care of. This is true for a child with juvenile diabetes too, but there is the added concern of how their blood glucose levels will be affected by
the illness. This is just another hurdle to deal with once your child has been diagnosed with diabetes.
If you are giving your child an over-the-counter or prescription medicine be sure to read the labels and warning or talk to the pharmacist. Some medications will cause a child’s blood sugar to be elevated and this should be taken into account when planning insulin dosage and meal plans.
If your child is sick and has no appetite or is vomiting, it is still important that they take their insulin. By testing their blood sugar frequently you can determine an adjusted amount of insulin to give them but don’t skip it entirely. If your child’s blood sugar is too low and they cannot eat anything try giving them a soda that is not sugar free.
Keep in mind that when your child is ill or stressed (or both) their blood sugar will be raised by that alone. If you are unsure how to help your child or you cannot get their blood sugars under control, call your doctor for advice.
When your child is sick, check their ketones more often than just in the morning when they have fasted. If they are not eating because of nausea they could be spilling ketones into their urine and suffer from ketoacidosis. This is a serious condition that needs medical attention. Make sure your child is receiving their regular insulin injections and are drinking plenty of fluids in order to prevent this condition from developing.
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Saturday, May 24th, 2008 |
The type of diabetes the majority of children are diagnosed with is type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with the disease when it is diagnosed in adults – also called adult-onset. There are cases of children being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and the numbers are growing.
A big contributor to the increase in these numbers is poor lifestyle and diet choices for our children. But this is not the only cause and may not be the cause at all for some. Just because a child is overweight or eats unhealthy does not mean he or she will get type 2 diabetes. Although, these lifestyle choices are factors that can increase the chances of it happening.
Symptoms or factors that are present in children who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes include the following:
* A child who is over their healthy weight range or is considered obese
* Many members of the family have been diagnosed with diabetes (most times this will include one of the parents)
* Some of the same symptoms shown in type 1 diabetes may appear with type 2 diabetes as well – increased urination (frequency), unquenchable thirst, and feeling very lethargic
Some children will show none of the above signs and it can be hard to diagnose them with type 2 diabetes. Annual check-ups with your doctor are important. Discuss with your doctor your family’s medical history. If there is diabetes present in your family
members your doctor may want to run routine tests even in the absence of additional signs or symptoms.
The treatment for this type of diabetes is sometimes the same as type 1 diabetes. In some patients, they will have to take an insulin injection every day. But, with type 2 diabetes, depending on the severity of the disease, it is also possible to control blood glucose levels with diet and exercise alone.
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Friday, May 23rd, 2008 |
A child who is diagnosed with juvenile diabetes is going to need to follow a treatment plan for the rest of their life. But they will have a lot of support. And there have been many advances and improvements in the diabetic treatment industry in way of needles
and monitoring devices.
Knowing your child’s blood sugar level is crucial to good control of the disease. By using a monitor at home you will see if the diet and insulin that is being provided is sufficient. There are many brands of monitors available and the amount of blood required is a very small drop placed on a strip. The monitor will come with a lancet
device to draw the blood from a finger tip – it is relatively painless and takes very little time.
In order to replace or supplement the insulin in your child’s body, a daily injection (sometimes more) is going to be required. In some cases a child will need more than one needle if the insulin from one is not lasting the entire day. You will learn how to monitor and adjust the level of insulin your child receives based on their blood glucose levels and advice from your doctor.
The other part of treating diabetes in children is a balanced diet and plenty of physical activity. Follow the food guide for children and limit the amount of treats that they are given. Daily exercise will help children maintain a healthy weight which in turns helps to
control their blood sugar by limiting the amount of insulin they need. After a little bit of time treating diabetes will be come a way of life for you and your child. Expect an adjustment period in the beginning but it will get better as you learn more and get the
diabetes under control.
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Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 |
Planning on a family vacation? Don’t worry trips and other family outings do not have to be restricted because your child has been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. You can do it all still but there are some extra preparations and planning that will have to happen first.
The preparations you make is going to be dependant on what kind of trip you are planning, for how long and the activities that you will be participating in. It is a good idea if you are going out of town on an airplane or by car to get some documentation from your doctor. You should get a letter that explains your child’s condition and an extra prescription for any unforeseen eventualities. If you are going on a lengthy plane ride, you will need the letter to get permission to bring your child’s medicine and syringes onto the airplane with you instead of storing them in your luggage.
If you are unsure what special arrangements you are going to need to make, speak to your doctor. If you are going on a vacation that will involve lots of extra physical activity (such as camping or hiking), be sure that you bring extra food to replace the energy that is going to be used up. If there is going to be less physical activity, more frequent testing of blood sugar levels will be necessary to make sure too much insulin isn’t being used.
When traveling a distance that involves crossing different time zones, be prepared to make additional adjustments to your child’s eating schedule. No matter what the clock says, your child is going to need their insulin and food on their body’s time. Again, your
doctor can help you make a plan for this adjustment and it will be based on the length of your trip, the difference in time zones, and your child.
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Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 |
If diabetes runs in your family, you may already be aware of the symptoms to look for to see if your child might have juvenile diabetes. If the disease is prevalent in your family, your doctor may run routine screening tests as a precautionary measure in the form of blood work. But this isn’t always the case. If your child exhibits any of the symptoms listed below you should schedule and appointment with your health care provider to have them looked into.
If your child is exhibiting these symptoms, they could be a sign that he or she has juvenile diabetes:
* Extreme thirst – this can be defined as a need to drink constantly without be satiated.
* Going to the bathroom to urinate more than usual. In some cases your child may wet the bed because of the increased need to urinate.
* Vision difficulties. Your child is complaining that they cannot see things properly or that they are blurry.
* Losing weight, you may notice a sudden drop in your child’s weight that is not linked to any other causes such as a recent bout of the flu.
* Mood changes, the highs and lows of your child’s blood sugar can cause them to be grumpy or bad-tempered with little provocation.
* A constant desire to eat, this is considered a symptom when the amount of food your child wants to eat is more than normal.
* Suffering from stomach aches or pangs with our without vomiting.
All of the above symptoms could mean that your child has diabetes but only blood work ordered by your doctor will prove that. Another point to note is that the above symptoms do not develop over time; it may be quite obvious to you that something is amiss as these changes can happen quite abruptly.
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Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 |
Although there is no known cause for juvenile diabetes there are risk factors that can contribute to the likeliness a child will be diagnosed with the disease. As some forms of type 1 diabetes are an autoimmune disease you can be at a higher risk if you have already been diagnosed with a different autoimmune disease. There are also some conditions surrounding a mother’s pregnancy and labor than could contribute to the diagnosis of juvenile diabetes.
If your child has been diagnosed with one of these autoimmune disease he or she is considered at a higher risk for diabetes in childhood:
* If your child has had one of these viruses: hepatitis, mumps, or CMV disease
* Thyroid problems known as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism (or Graves disease)
* Celiac disease
There has been some evidence that has shown that a child born to a mother over the age of 35 could be at higher risk for developing type 1 diabetes. This is not conclusive and it is not to say that a child born to a younger mother is not at risk as well. Some studies
indicate that a mother who had pre-eclampsia during pregnancy will give birth to a baby with a higher risk of being diagnosed – but this is not a proven fact.
Other risk factors include race - people from Northern Europe or areas of the Mediterranean – are considered at higher risk than other races. Environmental and dietary factors can play a role too. If a child is under a lot of stress it is considered a reason why he or she may go onto develop type 1 diabetes. Dietary risks factors include high levels of dairy and nitrosamines (used as a preservative in some meats and cheeses).
Exposure to toxins is considered a risk factor too.
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Monday, May 19th, 2008 |
Telling friends and family about your child being diagnosed with juvenile diabetes may bring about mixed emotions. You don’t want your child to be pitied, you don’t want them to be looked at differently, yet you do need people to understand that your child will need some special considerations sometimes.
When you first tell people they will either provide positive support, be neutral, or there may be some negative reactions. The first two reactions are not a problem, you may get offers of support or it may be a non-issue for others. It is the naysayers you need to be
careful of. You know it is a serious disease and you need to be sure your child is aware of it too but you don’t need outsiders bringing doom and gloom into the situation. There are tools and support to manage diabetes and your child can still expect a full and happy
life.
The easiest way to deal with negative reactions from friends and family members is to educate them. Most times they have an incorrect impression of what diabetes is, how it is managed, and the long-term effects. It is serious but damage can be minimized with
good control.
Your child may be nervous telling his or her friends too – afraid that they will be looked at as different. Most children will have a neutral reaction or none at all. It is not something that will affect friendships and it is not a problem. If your child does suffer
from teasing or taunting because they cannot have candy or some other silliness – let them talk to you about it and express their feelings. Some of their friends may have questions and some may not. If there is a concern with how your child is being treated or
how the diagnosis will be received speak with your child’s teacher.
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Sunday, May 18th, 2008 |
When younger children are diagnosed with juvenile diabetes is can be very hard on them. They may not understand the severity of the disease and all of the restrictions that are placed on them. It is going to take patience and time for them to get used to their new
lifestyle and the changes that go with it. Here are some tips to make the transition a little easier.
Join a support group of other parents whose children have been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. There experience in dealing with situations that you are going through can help to give you ideas and let you know that you are not alone on this journey. Not only can
this type of group benefit the parents, it is for the children too. It will be beneficial for them to have friends that have diabetes too. As they grow older, these friendships can last a lifetime based on the common link of juvenile diabetes.
In the beginning especially you may feel guilt because you are constantly saying no to your child. It is for their own good that they can’t have treats whenever they want but it doesn’t make it any easier. Steel yourself against the cries, begging, and whining that may ensue and know that it will get easier as time goes on. Change is difficult for many including kids.
As your child get older and has more experience under their belt, involve them in the process of managing their diabetes. This will help them feel more in control of their disease and as the same time prepare them for the time when they are going to be on their
own and have to take care of their own injections and blood glucose monitoring.
Each child is different and is going to handle the changes in their own way. Be their to support and help your child in whatever way they need.
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Saturday, May 17th, 2008 |
In many children with juvenile diabetes a period occurs shortly after being diagnosed they go through what is commonly called as the honeymoon period. This is a time when your child’s blood sugar levels will return to normal without the aid of additional insulin.
It is important to remember that this happens in a lot of children and does not mean that the disease has gone away. The pancreas is still trying to do its job and is working overtime to make insulin for your child’s body. Following are some guidelines to follow
when this happens.
The length of the honeymoon period is not the same for everyone. In one child it can last months while in another child it can feasibly last for over a year. It all depends on how much insulin your child’s pancreas can produce and how long it can keep up that rate of
production. It will be hard to figure out how much if any insulin your child needs during this time when their blood sugar levels are normal. Constant monitoring of the blood glucose levels is still required, because you will not know when the honeymoon period is
over otherwise.
Keep in close contact with your health care provider. He or she will help in determining what the best plan is to follow during the honeymoon phase. Some may even want you to give minute amounts of insulin daily in order to keep your child used to the injections and your child’s body accustomed to the additional insulin it will need.
It can be emotionally hard for your child during the honeymoon phase. Everything will seem back to normal and they are going to want to resume their life like it was prior to diagnosis. It is important to remain on the diabetic diet and continue monitoring during this time.
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Friday, May 16th, 2008 |
Teenagers are young adults and are ready to take on new responsibilities. If your teenager has had juvenile diabetes for some time, this is the time to pass the reins of management over to them. It may seem a bit intimidating to you to let your child take
control of their diabetes but it is the best thing you can do for them. They are approaching a time in their life when they are going to be going out on their own. For both your sake and theirs, a comfort level needs to be reached in reading blood sugars, giving injections and planning appropriate meals.
If your child was a teenager when he or she was first diagnosed, involve them in the process from the beginning. Their input and the ability to make some decisions will help them feel in control of a situation they would rather not be in.
The biggest point to stress and make sure your teenager understands is how important it is to keep proper control of their diabetes. Juvenile diabetes is a serious disease and it has
serious complications if blood sugar levels are not kept under control.
Discuss with your child different scenarios that are sure to arise and try and come up with solutions or ways to manage them. Drinking can have a negative affect on blood glucose levels and it is important that a young adult realize the dangers. When they reach legal age, they need to know how drinking can affect them and ways to incorporate that into their life if they so choose.
As a parenting, letting go is a hard thing to do but it is necessary to create independent adults. Trust your child to make the right decisions for their diabetes and be there to guide them when necessary.
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Thursday, May 15th, 2008 |
A popular alternative, especially for teenagers, to daily insulin injections is to use an insulin pump. Although it is an alternative for everyone because of the high cost of the unit and having to wear it 24 hours per day for others it can help in successfully
managing juvenile diabetes.
An insulin pump is worn all the time and provides a steady stream of fast-acting insulin instead of a combination of fast-acting and long-lasting insulin that is typically combined in a syringe. If your child is has to have multiple needles in a day this is also an attractive alternative.
Wearing an insulin pump provides greater flexibility; there is no specific injection and eating times that have to be met. But eating at similar times each day is still recommended. One of the best features of wearing an insulin pump is the ability to bolus
– giving additional fast-acting insulin immediately before eating a meal or a snack by pressing one of the buttons on the pump. This method can prevent spikes in blood sugar by providing a boost of insulin when it is needed most.
Some of the downsides of a pump are the expense. The unit itself is not cheap and you have to still buy the insulin and supplies to go with it. And it has to be worn all the time with the exception of bathing or swimming. But you and your child will have to weight
the pros and cons of a pump and see what they want to have in the end.
The same amount of effort is still needed to keep blood sugars in control but having an insulin pump can be more convenient by not having to worry about insulin injections. An insulin pump will also keep a steady stream of insulin in the body overnight when blood
sugars can sometimes spike.
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 |
Hypoglycemia is when a child (or any other person) with diabetes is suffering from low blood sugars. This can be an extreme and dangerous situation and in the worse case scenarios can lead to a diabetic coma or even death. But with careful monitoring of
blood sugar levels this can be prevented.
An important lesson to teach young children with juvenile diabetes is to recognize the signs of when they have low blood sugar. For very young children this is going to be difficult when they don’t have the words or comprehension to explain what they are
feeling.
Your child can develop hypoglycemia if they have not eaten enough, have had too much insulin or if they have missed a meal. All of these situations can be avoided but they still happen from time to time. Make sure your child always has some emergency food on hand for these types of situations and knows when they should eat it.
A child suffering from hypoglycemia may display certain symptoms that can help an outsider know what is going on. Especially for young children keep a look out for mood swings, shakiness, paleness, acting strangely or the inability to concentrate. The
condition can manifest itself in many different ways but in an individual they usually react the same way to hypoglycemia. Learn how your child reacts to low blood sugars and advise others who care for your child in the course of a day so that they too can be
prepared.
If your child is frequently suffering from hypoglycemia, consult with your doctor or diabetes educator. An adjustment to the insulin schedule or the amount of insulin that is given may need to be adjusted. A closer look at the meal plan is warranted too, maybe meal times or the type of food eaten needs to be changed.
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