Diabetes in Children Nancy Scherfel HS 200-01 Unit 2 Capstone Project: Case Study #1-Diabetes Kaplan University July 19, 2011 Diabetes in Children Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that affects about 180 million people and about one in every 400-600 children, (Roper et al 2009). This type of diabetes is generally found in young children and adolescence and if not properly taken control of, this can be very hazardous to one’s life.

Understanding what type 1 diabetes means, how an active child and their parents can maintain their disease correctly and what types of treatment are available will help insure that this is something that can be lived without any problems. The definition of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is where the pancreas can’t produce the necessary insulin for the body to maintain the correct glucose or sugar level that is needed. According to the American Diabetes Association, the body needs enough glucose between the ranges of 70 to 130mg before a meal and no more than 180mg after a meal.

When your levels drop to low, that is considered to be hypoglycemia, too high is hyperglycemia. Some of the symptoms in hypoglycemia that will occur can be shakiness, dizziness, sweating, headache and tingling sensations, (American Diabetes Association). With hyperglycemia some symptoms can be high glucose levels, increased thirst and frequent urination, (American Diabetes Association). When there is an active child who is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes

Mellitus, there is no reason for the child to stop doing everything they have done before. With physical care, knowing how to eat the right foods, how to manage and understand the equipment used, and how to take care of their bodies, (Roper et al, 2009). The physiology part knows how the disease affects the body, the cause of the disease and how the body works, (Roper et al, 2009). Also making sure that the patient and family knows the consequences if they can’t keep the disease under control which can lead to death.

With the correct treatments, keeping the child’s disease under control with a correct diet, glucose tablets, exercising daily, the medications that physicians prescribe, or with insulin injections is the best way to control diabetes. Making sure that the child is eating more proteins and less carbohydrate will help in keeping glucose levels in check. Keeping the child’s weight down by exercising daily will help if the child is overweight. There are medications that can be taken to keep the glucose level in the range that is recommended.

Using insulin injections has to be measured exactly so that an overdose does not happen. Using a glucose meter before you eat, and one hour after you eat will let you know how your body keeps the glucose level in check. In conclusion, with the proper information on what diabetes is how to maintain the disease and what options they have for treatments will help improve the child’s health. Keeping daily logs is important so they can see how their body uses glucose and when they will need to take their medications.

Taking the responsibility is the first step into learning what to do and having a support system will give much needed information. References American Diabetes Association. (n. d. ). Retrieved July 19, 2011, from http://www. diabetes. org/ Olsen Roper S. , Call A. , Leishman J. , Ratcliffe G. C. , MAndleco B. L. , Dyches T. T. & Marshall E. S. (2009) Type 1 diabetes: children and adolescents’ knowledge and questions. Journal of Advanced Nursing 65(8), 1705–1714. doi: 10. 1111/j. 1365-2648. 2009. 05033. x. Retrieved July 19, 2011 from Kaplan University.