Parents

For most people, parent hood is a challenge in and of itself. Adding the tasks of diabetes care to normal parenting responsibilities makes the job of parenting even more challenging. Most people need help along the way to manage it all. This help can come in many forms: through a wonderful medical team; from family and friends; and through learning as much as you possibly can about diabetes.

There are 2 types of Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2, Type 1 Diabetes can develop at any age, however, it usually develops in children and young adults before the age of 30. Over the past few years we are seeing more children diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes due to poor diet and obesity.

Type 1 Diabetes is a lifelong disease that occurs because the pancreas stops producing insulin. Insulin is a hormone that enables sugar (glucose) to move from the blood into the body's cells, where it can be used for energy. If sugar cannot move from the blood into the cells, the person's blood sugar rises (hyperglycemia) and the cells cannot function properly.

Often symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes are first noticed after an illness, such as the flu or a major surgery. Listed below are early warning signs of Type 1 diabetes:

• Frequent urination.
• Extreme thirst.
• Fruity breath
• Tiredness / Irritability
• Increased hunger.
• Weight loss.

The treatment goal for individuals with Type 1 diabetes is to keep their blood sugar level within a safe range. This is done by taking insulin injections, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise.

Type 2 Diabetes is often called non-insulin dependant diabetes. Although the complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar, the diseases arise from different circumstances. In type 2 diabetes, high blood glucose arises despite the fact that the pancreas produces an adequate supply of the hormone insulin. Individuals with type 2 diabetes have high levels of insulin yet their body’s cells are resistance to the actions of the insulin. With the progression of the disease they can develop a deficiency of insulin similar to people with type 1 diabetes. Listed below are early symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes:

• Increased thirst
• Increased hunger (especially after eating)
• Dry mouth
• Nausea and occasionally vomiting
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
• Blurred vision
• Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
• Frequent infections of the skin, urinary tract or vagina

Understanding Insulin

Insulin is a hormone normally secreted by the pancreas. When you eat food it stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin. The amount of insulin secreted is proportional to the amount / type of food consumed at that particular meal.

The primary role of Insulin is to move sugar (glucose) into the cells of the body's tissues. The body then uses the sugar as a source of energy to run a variety of important processes for the body.

The different types of insulins are categorized according to how fast they begin to work (onset) and how long they continue to work (duration). The types now available include rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin.

Rapid Acting Insulins:

• NovoLog (insulin aspart) Onset: 10-20 minutes
  Maximum effect: 1-3 hours
  Duration: 3-5 hours
• Humalog (insulin lispro) Onset: 15-30 minutes
  Maximum effect: 30 minutes to 2 1/2 hours
  Duration: 3-5 hours

Short Acting Insulins: Onset: within 30 minutes
Maximum effect: 1-3 hours
Duration: 8 hours

• Novolin R (regular novolin)
• Humulin R (regular humulin)

Intermediate Acting Insulins: Onset: within 1.5 hours
Maximum effect: 4-12 hours
Duration: 24 hours

• Novolin N (novolin NPH)
• Humulin N (humulin NPH)

Long Acting Insulins:

• Lantus
• Ultra Lente

Premixed Rapid and Intermediate-acting Insulins:

• Novolin 70/30 (70% Novolin NPH and 30% Novolin R)
• Humulin 70/30 (70% Humulin NPH and 30% Humulin R)
• NovoLog Mix 70/30 (70% insulin aspart protamine and 30% insulin aspart)
• Humalog Mix 75/25 (75% insulin lispro protamine and 25% insulin lispro)

Parents and Diabetes

The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi has established two support groups for families and children with diabetes. A dedicated group of parents and the staff of the Foundation inaugurated these groups. The first of these groups, the Teens and Young Adults with Diabetes support group, met for the first time in June 2000. In August of 2000, the Sweeties With Diabetes support group, which is aimed at younger children with diabetes and their parents, gathered for the first time for a “Back to School” picnic. Each support group meeting features a discussion of a topic of concern and a presentation by guest speakers covering topics such as nutrition, school and daycare programs, advocacy issues, and general question and answer sessions. The meetings also include activities geared for the children, including skating, swimming, and theme parties. Contact The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi for more information on these support groups.

The School and Special Concerns

Because the school-aged child spends over half of his/her waking hours in school, school personnel are almost as important to the care of the child with diabetes as the parents or guardians. It is important that the school personnel understand and recognize the necessary accommodations, which are needed for children with diabetes. The education of a child with diabetes is dependent upon the cooperative responsibilities of the parents or guardians, school personnel, health care personnel, and the child. This support system assures assistance in managing the child’s blood sugar levels.

It must be understood that the parent is responsible for seeing that this child’s needs are met by the school system. And, the school’s administrators must be willing to take the extra steps to meet these needs. Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, Inc. can help with a free training program available upon request. DFM volunteers will go to your school or daycare center to present an in-service program called "It's Not a Sweet Subject". The presentation lasts about 30 minutes with additional time provided for questions. We will provide an emergency “box” with a blood glucose meter to the school or daycare if they have enrolled children with diabetes.

Responsibility Guidelines

A child’s ability to deal with diabetes varies with age, but age alone does not tell you when a child is ready to assume tasks. Children develop at different rates. The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi has developed a list of general guidelines for helping your child cope with diabetes.

Daycare

The child may begin to cooperate with diabetes-related tasks but is unable to perform them independently. Normally, young children with diabetes do not recognize symptoms of low blood glucose, or they aren’t able to communicate to others when they are feeling “low.” Therefore, it’s extremely important to check your child’s blood glucose level often. Oftentimes young children are frightened by finger sticks and insulin shots and may try to avoid or delay getting them.

Elementary School

The child is learning how to recognize low blood sugar symptoms and can cooperate with all diabetes-related tasks. Young children (ages 5-7) should be able to: draw up insulin of one type, give themselves shots under close supervision, and perform blood glucose testing with assistance. In some cases children with diabetes view their disease as a punishment for something they did wrong; diabetes camps and support groups will help the child work through these feelings

Middle School or Junior High School

The child should recognize symptoms of high and low blood sugar and know when to monitor it. Unless he is newly diagnosed, he should be able to administer his own insulin, and keep a blood glucose log book. Changes in dosage require adult supervision. Children 12 years or older should discuss their diabetes directly with their doctor and work with healthcare professionals in developing a diabetes management plan.

High School

For the teenager with diabetes, having to take insulin, check blood glucose, and follow a meal plan is tiresome and can compound the normal difficulties of being a teen. It is normal for a teen with diabetes to ease up on diabetes care and try to act like everyone else.

The teen years are a time of testing limits, so don't be surprised if your teen tests his/her diabetes limits at some point. Teens may refuse to adhere to their eating plan, skip insulin injections, or stop checking their blood glucose. In some cases, the natural consequences of these actions (serious hypoglycemic reactions or hospitalization for DKA) discourage teens from continuing these habits.

What is Diabetes? | Risk Assessment | Prevention | Screening | Managing Your Diabetes
Insulin Resistance & Pre-Diabetes | Know Your Numbers | Kids & Diabetes
Teens & Diabetes | Parents & Diabetes | Know Your Rights | Support Groups | FAQ