I Need Insulin

My doctor is insisting on Insulin, what do I need to know ?

Insulin is produced in our body naturally by the pancreatic cells and helps the body in converting sugar into energy. When our body produces insufficient or no insulin then doctors recommend taking Insulin additionally, to ensure body metabolises carbohydrates into sugar, and sugar does not accumulate for a prolonged period of time in the form of blood glucose.

There are myths associated with taking Insulin, read below to find out the most frequently asked questions by people living with diabetes.

I have been asked by my doctor to take Insulin, is my Diabetes getting worse ?

Taking Insulin does not necessarily mean that your Diabetes is getting worse. To control your high blood glucose levels your doctor may prescribe Insulin therapy. By not taking the Insulin therapy you may further develop Diabetes-related complications such as Glaucoma in the eyes and malfunctioning of the kidneys or the liver, neuropathy, foot problems, nerve related issues etc. People with Type 2 Diabetes often use combined therapy of medicine and Insulin to keep their sugar levels in control.

Will injecting Insulin be painful ?

Injecting Insulin is not as painful as you may think. Your doctor will direct you how to inject Insulin in the right way and painlessly. Insulin should be given in the areas where one has more flab and less muscle. There are many new types of syringes which are thinner and painless to use, so this should not be a cause for worry.

Once I begin Insulin, will I have to take it for the rest of my life ?

The answer to this question is different for different types of Diabetes. For people living with Type 1 Diabetes this is true; however, for people with Type 2 Diabetes, studies have shown that taking medication on time, physical exercises and diet control can lead to reversal of the condition. Some people simply do not want to start Insulin because of the fear of having to take it forever. However studies have revealed that once the blood glucose levels are under control, patients have been able to switch back to oral medication and no longer have to depend on Insulin.

Travelling with Insulin is tedious, can I miss my injections ?

Doctors all round the world strongly recommend that people who are Insulin dependent must not miss any injections. If you miss your regular dose, it will disrupt the ground you have gained in Diabetes management and take you back to square one. Your blood sugar levels will shoot up and create an imbalance of toxins in the body, leading to further complications.

It is a good idea to make your own small back-pack where you could keep your syringes, Insulin, cotton, gauze and astringent handy. Insulin has to be kept in a cool place and, hence, sometimes needs to be refrigerated. If you are travelling, check with your pharmacist for new types of Insulin pens and cartridges, which might not need refrigeration.

What I can do as family/friend of a person living on Insulin ?

If your partner has Insulin-dependent Diabetes, we understand that you would have your own set of stresses that can be mentally and physically exhausting. You would need to be able to support your partner in different ways, such as establishing and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, checking your partner for wounds that may be concerning, learning to give Insulin shots correctly and painlessly, as well as routinely check blood glucose levels.

There are quite a few things that you can do to help yourself and your partner. First and foremost, in order to support your partner in living with this condition, you need to take care of yourself, both mentally and physically. Establish a health plan for yourself, which will keep you in good shape to deal with the stresses that go along with Diabetes. It is even better if you can exercise together. Taking up meditation and yoga is also a very good way to reduce the impact of stress on your body.

You do not need to give up your life and pleasures in order to support your partner. For example, develop a balanced diet plan that takes care of your partner’s nutritional requirements, but do not forget to add your favourite dish to the equation!

Consult with your doctor to plan an evening out, away from the regular routine. Understand and follow the doctor’s instructions when it comes to dos and don’ts for eating and drinking on your evening out, and you will be fine.

Make sure to have a backup for yourself. As you support your partner in living with Diabetes, you need not give up your interests. Have family/friends provide you with backup whenever you need to step away for some time. This also takes care of the condition known as “compassion fatigue” in caregivers.

It is also good to have support of other people living with this condition just in case you yourself are under the weather for a couple of days.

To read more on Diabetes, click on the link below.

Diabetes

Children and Diabetes by Famhealth

Children and Diabetes

My child has diabetes what can I do?

It is difficult for any parent to have a child unwell. It is but natural to feel anxious and stressed upon your child being diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. However, with all the advancements in medical science, Diabetes in children can managed easily, without affecting their quality of life.

The majority of children are generally detected with Type 1 Diabetes, which is commonly known as Juvenile Diabetes. In this condition, the body does not produce insulin at all and requires Insulin from external sources in order to carry out vital living functions.

Children living with Type 2 Diabetes tend to produce insufficient Insulin or the receptors in the pancreatic cells malfunction, leading to high blood glucose levels in the child’s body.

Here’s what you can do as parents to help your child manage his condition.

Work together as a parental team
- Research suggests that while you and your spouse may think differently and do the same things, but in a different manner; in order to avoid mismanagement of the child’s care, it is a good idea to align your approach to your partner’s.
Monitor blood glucose levels
- Parents generally tend to worry or get anxious about testing their child’s blood sugar levels. Pricking a finger for the blood test can be painful, not only physically for the child but also emotionally for the parent. However, it is advisable not to take this test lightly and follow a routine to check the child’s blood sugar levels.
  Your doctor and the paediatric diabetes team will give you a blood glucose meter, with which you can check your child’s blood sugar levels. Normally, there is a variety available and your diabetes care team will help you and your child makes the right choice.
  Your meter comes with a finger-pricking device and an initial supply of lancets (to take a drop of blood from the finger) and testing strips (to apply a drop of blood to, in order to get the result). Your diabetes team will also explain how to painlessly prick the finger without leaving scars.
Give Insulin as prescribed
- Children with Type 1 Diabetes must be given Insulin on time as part of their treatment plan. Insulin is the only medicine that can keep their blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
  By giving the prescribed dose of Insulin, your child’s body will be able to convert glucose into energy. When glucose is being used by the body properly, its level in the blood generally remains within a healthy range.
  Unless they are using an Insulin Pump, most children require two or more injections every day to keep their blood sugar levels under control. Usually, they inject a combination of different types of Insulin to handle the sugar levels. Your doctor can guide you in the dosage and frequency of medication.
Ensure healthy eating habits
- A healthy eating habit is the key for successful Diabetes management in children. Without planned diet and healthy eating, one cannot manage sugar levels in the child’s body. For Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin-dependent) one has to provide adequate diet and nutrition to the child in order to prevent low blood sugar levels.
Keep school/friends/ family in formed
- There are times when you or your partner may not be near the child. Let this not be a reason for any lack in how your child’s Diabetes is being managed. You should inform the school authorities, especially the teacher and the nurse in the school infirmary, that your child is living with Diabetes. Similarly, you should also inform friends and family so that they can help the child in treatment compliance.
Supplies you need to provide in school:
- At school, kids might need:
  - Blood sugar levels checking device
  - Insulin or other diabetes medications
  - Snacks ( at least 2) plus Lunch
  - Water bottle
  - Candies to counter low blood sugar episodes
Consult your doctor and switch to new techniques.
- With the rapid advancement in medical science, new treatments and technologies are developing rapidly. As parents you may need to regularly check with the doctors for new techniques in Diabetes management to ensure a healthy life for your child. Case in point: After the doctor’s recommendation, some children with Type 1 Diabetes have switched to insulin pumps to ensure smooth functioning of their biological systems.
  Parents of children with Type 1 Diabetes may soon be able to sleep more soundly, thanks to new research aimed at predicting and preventing dangerously low blood sugar levels at night. You may want to consult your doctor to find which device is apt for your child’s condition.
  Previous attempts at alerting diabetics while they slept included glucose sensors that triggered an alarm when levels dropped too low. However, people often slept through the alarms. As the new system is fully automated, it works while people are asleep.
Let your child enjoy life, even while growing up with Diabetes
- We understand sometimes medicine compliance and treatment can get overwhelming, but please remember, your stress and anxiety will find a way to transfer itself to the child. It is, therefore, a good idea to take up fun physical activities with your child, not just for a workout but also for de-stressing your child and yourself. This is also a good way to introduce a healthy lifestyle to your child living with Diabetes.

To read more on Diabetes, click on the link below.

Diabetes

Compliance and Checklist

Compliance and Checklist for Diabetes by Famhealth

Despite significant modern advances in diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, compliance still remains the most crucial aspect of blood glucose level control. Scientific research in National Institute Health USA, suggests “Poor glycaemic control may be reflected by both the failure of diabetes self-management by patients as well as inadequate intervention strategies by clinicians”. Hence identifying the barriers in compliance and treatment adherence is an equally important aspect for successful diabetes management.

Barriers in compliances may be due to various reasons but as per research the majority of non-compliances in diabetes management could be due to In-adequate information, Cultural differences, Religious beliefs, Family dynamics, Emotional imbalances, and sometimes poor communication skills.

According to the American Diabetes Association, The major compliance regimen for people living with Diabetes includes:

On time Medications:
- Medications on time, helps you to maintain a “good control” of blood glucose levels in your body. People living with diabetes are often prescribed multiple medications for diabetes and other co morbid conditions.
  To ease your medicinal intake you are advised to check with your doctor on the sequence of medicines to be consumed as per priority for e.g. which medications to consume before/after meals.
  To manage and ensure medicinal compliance you are encouraged to take the help of friends/family/colleagues who can effectively remind you to take your medications on time every time!
Food & Nutrition:
- According to Dr. Mona registered dietician from USA says, “Good food is good medicine and bad food is bad medicine”. You are advised to have frequent diabetes friendly meals, to reap the maximum benefits of successful diabetes management. To know more refer to our Food section.
Exercise regimen:
- Regimen: Having a daily exercise regime not only helps you to stay fit and healthy, but has also helped so many people in reversing their conditions remarkably! At Famhealth exercising can never get boring! Get to know the new forms and join our community to experience fun “do it with us” exercising modules.
Monitoring blood glucose levels:
- Checking your blood glucose levels timely as recommended by your doctor helps to administer the effect of food, medicines and physical activity in your body. It is almost a reflection of how well you are managing your condition. You are encouraged to take help of your partner/family member/caregivers to learn the right ways of monitoring blood glucose levels to ensure diabetes compliance.

Family/friends/caregivers play a vital role in helping a person living with diabetes to overcome all the barriers and come on top their conditions

Check blood sugar levels as often as recommended by your doctor. By checking your blood glucose level, you can know how food, physical activity and medicine affect your blood glucose.
Inspect your feet daily for cuts, injuries, blisters, infection and changes in skin pigmentation.
Inspect your mouth, teeth and gums. People living with diabetes often are prone to periodontal gum diseases, doctors’ advice brushing twice daily and flossing once in a week.
Check for infection, cuts, blisters, or colour changes all over the body including your underarms, groin area, area between toes, etc.
As you may be already aware, people with diabetes must avoid hot water baths as hot baths often lead to wrinkling and blisters in skin.
Keep your supplies close: Make an attractive kit bag and keep all the necessary medications and food items within your reach. Replenish the kit daily to keep your energy elevated, and blood glucose levels normal.
Last but not the least take your medications on time and at least exercise or walk for a minimum 45 minutes daily to regulate blood glucose levels.

Non adherence to the above treatment compliances often leads to frustration in families and also in doctors treating diabetes individuals

Diabetes Types & symptoms

Tag: Diabetes & Children