Type 1 Diabetes
Information for parents and children
Managing the disease
Treatment methods for Type 1 diabetes
Exercise
Diet
Diet is a very big part of living with type 1 diabetes. Parents and children should start off learning about diet and how it can affect the lives of people living with the disease. When many people hear diabetes they automatically think, sugar and how it can't be eaten by people who have the disease. The truth is sugar is not the main thing that affects blood glucose levels. More importantly, carbohydrates are one of the main things that raise blood glucose levels. Obviously it is not good for people with diabetes to indulge in sugar either but it isn't good for anybody else to either. Carbohydrates have a direct impact on blood glucose levels whereas proteins and fats have little to no impact. Carbohydrate counting and exchange planning are a great way to count carbs. There are 3 different types of carbohydrates, starch, sugar and fiber. Overall you want to have a healthy diet just like a person not living with the disease but it's especially important for people living with the disease because having a healthy diet can be very helpful in avoiding long term complications down the road. The time of day and how often you eat can also affect blood sugar levels.
Parents can help their children by starting them off with eating a healthy diet and checking blood sugar levels often. Also by eating their meals at regular and frequent times. It will be very important to teach children with type 1 diabetes how important having a healthy diet can be from a young age. The healthy diet should include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans and non-fat diary products. Eating a variety of different healthy foods is important also. Portion control is also important to teach. It is important to teach your children that they can eat the same foods that the rest of the family enjoys. It is not like they have to be put on a special diet just because they have the disease. It will be important for the family to have some healthy meal planning and they whole family can par take in the healthy diet.
Symptoms of high and low blood sugars
High blood sugars, also known as hyperglycemia, can be a scary thing. High blood sugars can happen for various reasons, including: not taking your insulin when your supposed to, or not taking the right amount. Eating too much and not taking enough insulin to cover all the food you ate. Also being sick can raise blood sugar levels or not getting enough exercise. Symptoms of high blood sugars can be, peeing a lot, drinking a lot, losing weight and being tired. Sometimes high blood sugar levels don't even cause these symptoms and you can have high blood sugar without knowing it that's why it's important to check your blood sugar often. Usually to treat high blood sugars you will need to take more insulin or get exercise more frequently. Having high blood sugar levels happens to everyone with diabetes from time to time but if it happens a lot you should consult your doctor about how to get them back in normal range.
Low blood sugars need immediate attention or can be life threatening. Symptoms of mild low blood sugar levels are: grouchiness, shakiness, sweating, fast heart rate, pale skin, dizziness, yawning. For this the blood sugar will need to be treated with a quick acting sugar or something with about 15 grams of carbohydrates. Symptoms of moderate low blood sugars are: confusion, slurred speech, poor coordination, and inability to cooperate. To treat this instant glucose should be given or cake frosting gel. If no response within 15 minutes to either of these then the glucagon should be administered. Symptoms of severe low blood sugars are, unconsciousness, and convulsions. If this happens the glucagon should be administered immediately and 911 should be called.
Low blood sugars sometimes happen when meals are skipped or meals or delayed also if the person doesn't eat as much carbohydrates for as much insulin they took. Also if you take too much insulin, take the wrong type or if you take the insulin at the wrong time. It can also happen if you exercise too much without eating a snack or adjusting the dosage of insulin.
Ideas for how to manage the disease outside of the home
Having diabetes can make young children feel different from other kids at school or around other peers. Joining a support group in your area where your child can meet other children with the disease so they don't feel alone can help your child deal emotionally with the disease. If your child is young and in school it is probably a good idea to recommend the teacher reading a book or having the class watch a video on diabetes so the other students understand more about what diabetes is. If the other children in the class know what the disease is they are less likely to make the child with diabetes feel so different. It is also important to sit down with your child's teacher, bus driver etc. to discuss the symptoms of low blood sugars, making sure they understand that your child may need to have additional snacks and access to water and the bathroom because of your child's diabetes. Also discussing how diabetes can affect school performance and making sure your child has a place to check their blood sugar and give themselves insulin.
The same type of thing would apply if your child was going to a birthday party and just even going over to a friends house to play. It is important that the parents or adults around know what diabetes is and to recognize signs of symptoms of a problem especially if they are staying over night. Making your children's friends aware of the disease, depending on age, is also a good idea.