If a child has recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, parents need to be actively involved in their child’s care and need to work to accept and incorporate diabetes care into their daily lives.
Understanding the causes of type 1 diabetes can help make the treatment approach more effective. Insulin, the hormone the body needs to convert food into energy, is usually secreted by the pancreas, and people with diabetes are unable to produce insulin on their own.
Insulin is needed to control high blood sugar
For people with type 1 diabetes, because the pancreas is not working properly, there is no insulin production and glucose stays in the blood instead of getting into the cells, raising blood glucose levels.
High blood sugar can be controlled by using insulin. But the amount of insulin needed will vary depending on how blood sugar levels change throughout the day. Therefore, the parent or child needs to check the child’s blood glucose level often to determine how much insulin is needed. The child’s medical team will teach the parents what to do.
Children need to check their blood glucose at least 10 times a day, including before meals, at bedtime, before exercise, and any time their blood glucose may be too high or too low.
If your child’s blood sugar is too low, he or she needs to eat carbohydrate-rich foods (such as juice or candy) or use products such as glucose tablets or gels. If blood sugar drops to a dangerous level, glucagon injections are needed.
Children need to use insulin 3 to 4 times a day to improve high blood sugar. There are different types of insulin and ways to use them.
What kinds of insulin are included?
There are two types of insulin your doctor may prescribe: one that must be used before a meal and one that must be used at a fixed (constant) dose.
1. Insulin for use before meals
Insulin has a rapid onset of action, starting about 15 minutes after taking it, peaking about an hour later, and lasting 2 to 4 hours.
Short-acting (sometimes called regular) insulin works within 30 minutes, peaks after 2 to 3 hours, and lasts 3 to 6 hours. Parents need to calculate the dose of insulin based on their child’s current blood glucose level and carbohydrate intake.
2. Fixed-dose insulin
Medium-acting insulin takes effect within 2 to 4 hours, peaks after 4 to 12 hours, and lasts 12 to 18 hours.
Long-acting insulin starts to work a few hours after injection and is able to lower blood glucose levels evenly over a 24-hour period. Your child may need to use it once a day, for example, at bedtime.
How is insulin injected into the body?
Insulin can be given in a variety of ways. Your doctor will give advice, usually initially using a syringe or insulin pen.
A syringe draws insulin from the vial and injects it into the body.
Insulin pens look similar to writing instruments. The correct dose is chosen and a needle is fitted to inject the insulin into the body.
Inhaled insulin is a new type of fast-acting insulin. people with type 1 diabetes should only use inhaled insulin before meals, and it must be combined with injectable long-acting insulin.
Insulin pumps are the preferred method for many people with type 1 diabetes. An insulin pump is a wearable device that is connected to the body through a catheter. The insulin pump can deliver a steady dose of medication throughout the day or an extra dose before a meal (called a push). Patients still need to check their blood glucose levels before meals (just as they would with a syringe or pen), as this allows the device to be adjusted to the desired dose. Some newer insulin pumps also have monitoring capabilities and can alert the patient, but require a pre-set reminder dose. Others can display information through a continuous glucose monitor that tracks blood glucose levels every few minutes over a 24-hour period.
The future of treatment for type 1 diabetes
Researchers are looking for new ways to treat type 1 diabetes, and one of them is an artificial pancreas. During the day and night, the artificial pancreas automatically checks blood sugar levels and releases insulin based on those readings.