(An updated version of a early post).
Showing posts with label type 2 diabetes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label type 2 diabetes. Show all posts
Friday, July 20, 2012
Type 1 Diabetes...need more snack ideas
(An updated version of a early post).
Friday, July 13, 2012
Summer Schedule
I remember when I was a kid, the thing I looked forward to most during summer vacation was staying up late and not having to get up early in the morning. But when you have diabetes, its important to stay on a schedule. I have to admit, over the past several weeks we have slept a little later each morning so that now we get up between 7:30-8 as apposed to the 6:00 am alarm when school was in. And Alyssa is going to bed around 10:30-11 pm, when her school year bed time is 8:30-9... well she usually falls asleep somewhere around that time and we put her in her bed :)
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Thursday, July 12, 2012
Sneaky Sneaky
Having diabetes stinks and I think it does even more so for a kid. For the most part Alyssa manages her diabetes very well, knowing that she needs to check if she can have something before she puts it in her mouth. I try not to keep the joys of sweets from her, my theory is anything in moderation. She knows that even if she can't have a sweet at the moment she asks, she can save it for later when she can. This decision is based on her glucose level, how soon it is to a mealtime, her activity level, and the amount of time before she goes to bed.
Yesterday with dinner she asked if she could have a low-sugar Klondike ice cream bar. The dessert has 25 grams of carbohydrates and so I said that she could have it for desert after she ate her dinner. With the ice cream, her dinner total came to 75 grams of carbohydrates (Normally 60). Before dinner her blood glucose level was 144 (good). Her insulin ratio is 1 unit for every 20 grams of carbohydrates, and because her bg's were good, no correction was needed. So I gave her 3 1/2 units of Novolog. All was good.
At her bedtime glucose check her level was 166 and if they are under 200, she has a night time snack that is 15 grams of carbohydrates to balance her blood sugar level through the night. She normally handles this on her own, and I'll call out to her, "What's your sugar?" she usually tells me what it is and I tell her if she needs a snack or not. Well, I told her to get herself a snack (she has her own cabinet full of snacks all that are 15 grams of carbs or less) However, miss flossy decided that she wanted to have another ice cream bar. So, I'm in my room on my laptop and I hear my husband ask Alyssa if mom said she could have this ice cream? "Alyssa!!" She had taken one bite. Anyway, I had her wrap it up, promising she could have it the next day. Diabetes is tricky and nights can produce dangerous lows or highs depending on her level of activity and pattern of bg's for the day. That is why I choose to give her 15 grams of complex carbohydrate snacks that include protein before bedtime instead of sugary treats that can cause spikes and morning highs.
I know it's tough to not be able to eat what she wants anytime she wants, and trust me, she didn't forget what I told her as she had her ice cream bar with her lunch this afternoon.
Yesterday with dinner she asked if she could have a low-sugar Klondike ice cream bar. The dessert has 25 grams of carbohydrates and so I said that she could have it for desert after she ate her dinner. With the ice cream, her dinner total came to 75 grams of carbohydrates (Normally 60). Before dinner her blood glucose level was 144 (good). Her insulin ratio is 1 unit for every 20 grams of carbohydrates, and because her bg's were good, no correction was needed. So I gave her 3 1/2 units of Novolog. All was good.
At her bedtime glucose check her level was 166 and if they are under 200, she has a night time snack that is 15 grams of carbohydrates to balance her blood sugar level through the night. She normally handles this on her own, and I'll call out to her, "What's your sugar?" she usually tells me what it is and I tell her if she needs a snack or not. Well, I told her to get herself a snack (she has her own cabinet full of snacks all that are 15 grams of carbs or less) However, miss flossy decided that she wanted to have another ice cream bar. So, I'm in my room on my laptop and I hear my husband ask Alyssa if mom said she could have this ice cream? "Alyssa!!" She had taken one bite. Anyway, I had her wrap it up, promising she could have it the next day. Diabetes is tricky and nights can produce dangerous lows or highs depending on her level of activity and pattern of bg's for the day. That is why I choose to give her 15 grams of complex carbohydrate snacks that include protein before bedtime instead of sugary treats that can cause spikes and morning highs.
I know it's tough to not be able to eat what she wants anytime she wants, and trust me, she didn't forget what I told her as she had her ice cream bar with her lunch this afternoon.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
What is insulin?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreatic inlets of Langerhans. Insulin is secreted into the blood in response to the elevation of blood sugar levels. Insulin then causes an individuals cells to absorb glucose from the blood and store it in the liver and muscles of the body so that it can be used as energy.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Diabetes doesn't define who you are....
Today was our church's Memorial Day Service. This is a service where family and friends honor those who have passed on during the last year and a special guest speaker talks to the congregation about life and death and how we, as Christians, should not take for granted the time we have before we go on to glory. This year's guest speaker's subject was "Who are you?" He believes when most people are asked this question, their first response is their name and then their profession when describing who they are. His hope was that the congregation would see they should define themselves as how they live their life through acts and service for others.....as a child of God. A person is more than their name; more than what they do for a living; more than some one's spouse or some one's parent or child.
This question got me to thinking about my daughter and how many may think her disease defines who she is. My daughter has type 1 diabetes, but that is not who she is. Diabetes is just one part of her life. Although, the disease can be overwhelming and attribute to how she feels, it is important to remember that this does not decide who Alyssa is or who she is going to be..... if anything, diabetes will make her stronger.
This question got me to thinking about my daughter and how many may think her disease defines who she is. My daughter has type 1 diabetes, but that is not who she is. Diabetes is just one part of her life. Although, the disease can be overwhelming and attribute to how she feels, it is important to remember that this does not decide who Alyssa is or who she is going to be..... if anything, diabetes will make her stronger.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Guest Blog Post from Drugwatch.com: Type 2 Diabetes and Children
My blog is about my daughter's journey with type 1 diabetes; however, type 2 diabetes is also a terrible disease and the amount of children developing the disease is on the rise. So when Jeff from Drugwatch.com asked if their writers could do a guest post on my blog regarding type 2 diabetes and children, I had to agree. I thought my readers could get a great deal of information from their post that covers details of the disease as well as the medications that are used to treat type 2. Thank you for the great information Alanna Ritchies of Drugwatch.com!
As many as 45 percent of new onset pediatric diabetes cases in the United States are type 2. This is partially due to the growing population of obese children and adolescents.
Type 2 diabetes affects more than 22 million adults in the United States. It used to be primarily diagnosed in people older than 40, but it now affects an alarming number of children.
Over the past 20 years, the prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity has doubled, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee, putting children at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. At diagnosis, 85 percent of these children are obese.
Obesity and a lack of physical activity, as well as exposure to diabetes in utero, are thought to be major contributors to the increase in type 2 diabetes during childhood and adolescence. Generally, the diagnosis applies to those between 10 and 19 years of age with insulin resistance and a strong family history of type 2 diabetes.
The age of development is connected to changes in puberty that affect hormone levels. Doctors often diagnose children exhibiting symptoms like obesity, glucose in the urine or excessive thirst.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Diabetes Translation has been conducting workshops to raise physician awareness about the disease, determine the magnitude of the problem and assess and improve the quality of care among children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes.
In about 10 percent of cases, lifestyle intervention for those diagnosed with diabetes early may be enough. Everyone else will need either insulin, medication or both to control their blood sugar.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved certain insulin products for children and one oral medication, metformin. Metformin increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin and decreases the amount of glucose produced by the liver. It can also promote weight loss.
While many adults with type 2 diabetes may be taking a thiazolidinedione such as Actos, this class of drugs has not been studied for pediatric use.
Adults and children should be aware of the risks, however. Actos, which is the most popular diabetes drug worldwide, has been linked to vision problems, fractures and heart failure. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed a black-box warning on Actos, listing restrictions for people with heart conditions.
Actos has also been repeatedly linked to bladder cancer, including by a recent study that showed an 80 percent increase in the risk. Thousands of Actos lawsuits have been filed by patients who have suffered.
Before thiazolidinediones or other type 2 diabetes medications are prescribed to children, more studies are necessary.
A child’s ability to take on medical regimens, exercise plans and diet changes is contingent upon supportive parents and an understanding of the diagnosis.
The American Diabetes Association plans to develop educational strategies for teaching children about managing type 2 diabetes. Children may blame themselves if their condition worsens, but should know that the disease is progressive, meaning it will worsen with time. It is also important that they and their parents understand the risks associated with popular medications like
Actos side effects and with type 2 diabetes in general.
Alanna Ritchie is a writer for
Drugwatch.com. An English major, she is an accomplished technical and creative writer.
As many as 45 percent of new onset pediatric diabetes cases in the United States are type 2. This is partially due to the growing population of obese children and adolescents.
Type 2 diabetes affects more than 22 million adults in the United States. It used to be primarily diagnosed in people older than 40, but it now affects an alarming number of children.
Over the past 20 years, the prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity has doubled, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee, putting children at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. At diagnosis, 85 percent of these children are obese.
Obesity and a lack of physical activity, as well as exposure to diabetes in utero, are thought to be major contributors to the increase in type 2 diabetes during childhood and adolescence. Generally, the diagnosis applies to those between 10 and 19 years of age with insulin resistance and a strong family history of type 2 diabetes.
The age of development is connected to changes in puberty that affect hormone levels. Doctors often diagnose children exhibiting symptoms like obesity, glucose in the urine or excessive thirst.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Diabetes Translation has been conducting workshops to raise physician awareness about the disease, determine the magnitude of the problem and assess and improve the quality of care among children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes.
In about 10 percent of cases, lifestyle intervention for those diagnosed with diabetes early may be enough. Everyone else will need either insulin, medication or both to control their blood sugar.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved certain insulin products for children and one oral medication, metformin. Metformin increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin and decreases the amount of glucose produced by the liver. It can also promote weight loss.
While many adults with type 2 diabetes may be taking a thiazolidinedione such as Actos, this class of drugs has not been studied for pediatric use.
Adults and children should be aware of the risks, however. Actos, which is the most popular diabetes drug worldwide, has been linked to vision problems, fractures and heart failure. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed a black-box warning on Actos, listing restrictions for people with heart conditions.
Actos has also been repeatedly linked to bladder cancer, including by a recent study that showed an 80 percent increase in the risk. Thousands of Actos lawsuits have been filed by patients who have suffered.
Before thiazolidinediones or other type 2 diabetes medications are prescribed to children, more studies are necessary.
A child’s ability to take on medical regimens, exercise plans and diet changes is contingent upon supportive parents and an understanding of the diagnosis.
The American Diabetes Association plans to develop educational strategies for teaching children about managing type 2 diabetes. Children may blame themselves if their condition worsens, but should know that the disease is progressive, meaning it will worsen with time. It is also important that they and their parents understand the risks associated with popular medications like
Actos side effects and with type 2 diabetes in general.
Alanna Ritchie is a writer for
Drugwatch.com. An English major, she is an accomplished technical and creative writer.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Cheer Camp
Alyssa is on a competitive cheer team and this weekend she took part in her first cheer skills camp. Alyssa’s diabetes is very sensitive to extra physical activity, so this requires careful planning and monitoring as well as timing meals and insulin. This is because muscles use up glucose at almost 20 times the normal rate during intense exercise and can result in low blood sugar levels.
During her normal practices in order to avoid drops in blood glucose levels, we check her bg’s before class starts and if she is below 200 she has a carb/protein snack and she has a low sugar Gatorade on hand that has about 15 g of carbs. This snack and drink will replace the glucose slowly as she burns the glucose she has on board and holds her over through the 1 ½ hour practice. In the case of cheer camp, I knew the activity would be more intense and last longer. We checked her sugar when we arrived on day 1 and it was 212, she had a snack and about an hour in her bg was 200. At the water break re-check, her level was at 147, so she had a few grapes and more low sugar Gatorade. By the end of day 1 practice, her level was at 150. Day 2 started at 12:30p, so she ate lunch at 11:30a. When we got to the gym her bg was 300, but she had just eaten and had a lower level of insulin about 30 minutes prior. At the water break, we checked and her level was down to 200. She ate a few grapes and 2 peanut butter crackers. At the end of camp, her bg was 116. I knew her bg’s would continue to drop after the exercise stopped because her team had worked so much harder on day 2, so I let her have a little of the high carb snacks that were offered like cheese puffs, chips, grapes, and even a donut! I chose not to give her insulin and rechecked her bgs about an hour later…99...perfect... her body was still burning that glucose. If she hadn't had that snack, she would have went low.
Alyssa is such a trooper. She didn’t complain about having her finger pricked 4 times extra because she was having such a good time… We have a longer choreography camp in a couple of weeks and I'm feeling a little bit better about it.
During her normal practices in order to avoid drops in blood glucose levels, we check her bg’s before class starts and if she is below 200 she has a carb/protein snack and she has a low sugar Gatorade on hand that has about 15 g of carbs. This snack and drink will replace the glucose slowly as she burns the glucose she has on board and holds her over through the 1 ½ hour practice. In the case of cheer camp, I knew the activity would be more intense and last longer. We checked her sugar when we arrived on day 1 and it was 212, she had a snack and about an hour in her bg was 200. At the water break re-check, her level was at 147, so she had a few grapes and more low sugar Gatorade. By the end of day 1 practice, her level was at 150. Day 2 started at 12:30p, so she ate lunch at 11:30a. When we got to the gym her bg was 300, but she had just eaten and had a lower level of insulin about 30 minutes prior. At the water break, we checked and her level was down to 200. She ate a few grapes and 2 peanut butter crackers. At the end of camp, her bg was 116. I knew her bg’s would continue to drop after the exercise stopped because her team had worked so much harder on day 2, so I let her have a little of the high carb snacks that were offered like cheese puffs, chips, grapes, and even a donut! I chose not to give her insulin and rechecked her bgs about an hour later…99...perfect... her body was still burning that glucose. If she hadn't had that snack, she would have went low.
Alyssa is such a trooper. She didn’t complain about having her finger pricked 4 times extra because she was having such a good time… We have a longer choreography camp in a couple of weeks and I'm feeling a little bit better about it.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Packing for the Pool
Packing for the Pool
Today we are celebrating my son’s 17th birthday with a family pool party at my sister-in-law’s home and as I prepare for the afternoon, I realize how much goes into preparing for Alyssa. This has become second nature and has become part of our ’check off list’ before we leave the house. This prep is not only today, this is anytime we go anywhere. Another reminder that diabetes doesn’t take a break.
In addition to packing sunscreen and beach towels, we have to pack a bag full of diabetes supplies. In her backpack: bg meter, strips, lancets, alcohol swabs, insulin, syringes, juice boxes, glucagon emergency kit, snacks, water bottles, and candy.
Alyssa is a very active little girl and rarely takes a break; and because we are going to a party where there will be swimming and lots of play with cousins, the chances of low blood sugar are very likely. On the upside, she’ll probably be able to enjoy a piece of birthday cake without an extra injection!
Today we are celebrating my son’s 17th birthday with a family pool party at my sister-in-law’s home and as I prepare for the afternoon, I realize how much goes into preparing for Alyssa. This has become second nature and has become part of our ’check off list’ before we leave the house. This prep is not only today, this is anytime we go anywhere. Another reminder that diabetes doesn’t take a break.
In addition to packing sunscreen and beach towels, we have to pack a bag full of diabetes supplies. In her backpack: bg meter, strips, lancets, alcohol swabs, insulin, syringes, juice boxes, glucagon emergency kit, snacks, water bottles, and candy.
Alyssa is a very active little girl and rarely takes a break; and because we are going to a party where there will be swimming and lots of play with cousins, the chances of low blood sugar are very likely. On the upside, she’ll probably be able to enjoy a piece of birthday cake without an extra injection!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Diabetes is Scary
Our trip to the endocrinologist went well today. Alyssa's A1C was 7.9 (recommended between 6-8 for her age) and there was no change to her regimen. We did discuss the pump and we both agreed that Alyssa will let us know when she's ready. They sent us home with a sample OmniPod (without the connection) so she could try wearing it and see how it felt. The omnipod is tubeless, but they also gave us information about the Paradigm Real-Time Revel and the OneTouch Ping.
Right now Alyssa is dead set against the pump. Her biggest concern was wearing it during gymnastics, cheer, or when she swims; but, we have found out that some pumps can be removed during these activities and some are also waterproof. She doesn't know anyone that has a pump, so I'm hoping once she meets someone that has one, she'll be more open to it. We are going to a pump class next month so that we can have some hands on time with different pumps and also for her to meet others that are considering getting the pump.
Alyssa rarely complains, but on occasion, she asks 'why does she have diabetes?'. On a recent FB post, I shared my answer "Its His plan and maybe its because one day you'll help other T1 kids". And then we discuss how her beta cells in her islets of Langerhans do not produce enough insulin to turn her food into fuel....she thinks the islets of Langerhans is a funny name. So she laughs and that's usually enough. However today, sadly, while we were waiting for the endo, Alyssa said to me that she thought she was going to die early. Diabetes does not run in our family, but my (step) dad was diagnosed with T2 many years ago and is insulin dependent. Currently he is suffering with complications of the disease. He has been recently diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and moderate chronic kidney disease (stage 3). She may not fully understand these conditions but she knows they are terrible and this is very scary to an 8 year old little girl. My reply to her statement was that she is going to live a long healthy life and that the reason I make sure she checks her blood sugar, eats healthy, and gets insulin injections is so that will happen. This is a double edge sword, on one had you want to shelter your child from the scariness of this disease and on the other, you want to stress how important it is that she take care of her health.
Right now Alyssa is dead set against the pump. Her biggest concern was wearing it during gymnastics, cheer, or when she swims; but, we have found out that some pumps can be removed during these activities and some are also waterproof. She doesn't know anyone that has a pump, so I'm hoping once she meets someone that has one, she'll be more open to it. We are going to a pump class next month so that we can have some hands on time with different pumps and also for her to meet others that are considering getting the pump.
Alyssa rarely complains, but on occasion, she asks 'why does she have diabetes?'. On a recent FB post, I shared my answer "Its His plan and maybe its because one day you'll help other T1 kids". And then we discuss how her beta cells in her islets of Langerhans do not produce enough insulin to turn her food into fuel....she thinks the islets of Langerhans is a funny name. So she laughs and that's usually enough. However today, sadly, while we were waiting for the endo, Alyssa said to me that she thought she was going to die early. Diabetes does not run in our family, but my (step) dad was diagnosed with T2 many years ago and is insulin dependent. Currently he is suffering with complications of the disease. He has been recently diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and moderate chronic kidney disease (stage 3). She may not fully understand these conditions but she knows they are terrible and this is very scary to an 8 year old little girl. My reply to her statement was that she is going to live a long healthy life and that the reason I make sure she checks her blood sugar, eats healthy, and gets insulin injections is so that will happen. This is a double edge sword, on one had you want to shelter your child from the scariness of this disease and on the other, you want to stress how important it is that she take care of her health.
Friday, July 29, 2011
It takes a villiage
It takes a village….
I am so grateful that we have so many family and friends who support, care and love our children. It honestly takes a village to raise a child; this is even more important when you have a child with juvenile diabetes. Fortunately in our situation, family and friends want to be educated and want to be informed about Alyssa’s care.
The first people that need to be educated are the other children that live in the home. I have 2 amazing sons who have always looked out for their baby sister, well when she’s not getting on their nerves. But in all honesty, since she was diagnosed, they are on her like white on rice. We’ve trained them in a sense by letting them check her glucose levels, giving her injections, educating them on what she can eat and what to look for. They have also dealt really well with the changes that have had to be made around here; Splenda instead of sugar, diet drinks, no candy….and if they buy their own candy, they don’t eat it in front of her. And it’s not that she can never have candy, it just has to be monitored.
My mother and mother-in-law have also been a great help. It was about 5 months after her diagnosis before Alyssa spent the night away from home, which was a long time for her because she loved spending weekends with her grandmothers. It’s a huge responsibility and they have made it possible for me and my husband to get away, take a break, and know that our little girl is being well taken care of.
Our friends are the best! I’m hearing about research they’ve read about, food ideas and substitutes. They continuously ask about Alyssa and when we are all together they are genuinely curious about her care and want to take part in it.
Outside of the home, more than likely the first people that need to be educated are teachers and school staff as they are with your child several hours a day. We are very fortunate that Alyssa’s school has a wonderful, caring staff. I’ll have a post about diabetes and school soon as I prepare for Alyssa’s return to school next month.
All in all, the most important thing is for Alyssa to know that she is loved and that diabetes does not define who she is. She is still that smart, silly, busy little girl who just so happens to have a disease. Our family and friends have been a tremendous part in helping her recognize that.
I am so grateful that we have so many family and friends who support, care and love our children. It honestly takes a village to raise a child; this is even more important when you have a child with juvenile diabetes. Fortunately in our situation, family and friends want to be educated and want to be informed about Alyssa’s care.
The first people that need to be educated are the other children that live in the home. I have 2 amazing sons who have always looked out for their baby sister, well when she’s not getting on their nerves. But in all honesty, since she was diagnosed, they are on her like white on rice. We’ve trained them in a sense by letting them check her glucose levels, giving her injections, educating them on what she can eat and what to look for. They have also dealt really well with the changes that have had to be made around here; Splenda instead of sugar, diet drinks, no candy….and if they buy their own candy, they don’t eat it in front of her. And it’s not that she can never have candy, it just has to be monitored.
My mother and mother-in-law have also been a great help. It was about 5 months after her diagnosis before Alyssa spent the night away from home, which was a long time for her because she loved spending weekends with her grandmothers. It’s a huge responsibility and they have made it possible for me and my husband to get away, take a break, and know that our little girl is being well taken care of.
Our friends are the best! I’m hearing about research they’ve read about, food ideas and substitutes. They continuously ask about Alyssa and when we are all together they are genuinely curious about her care and want to take part in it.
Outside of the home, more than likely the first people that need to be educated are teachers and school staff as they are with your child several hours a day. We are very fortunate that Alyssa’s school has a wonderful, caring staff. I’ll have a post about diabetes and school soon as I prepare for Alyssa’s return to school next month.
All in all, the most important thing is for Alyssa to know that she is loved and that diabetes does not define who she is. She is still that smart, silly, busy little girl who just so happens to have a disease. Our family and friends have been a tremendous part in helping her recognize that.
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