Top Ten Things You Need to Top Ten Things You Need to Know…about DiabetesKnow…about Diabetes

1. Diabetes is managed, not 1. Diabetes is managed, not curedcured

It’s a 24/7 conditionIt’s a 24/7 condition The goal is blood glucose The goal is blood glucose

management & the prevention of management & the prevention of long-term complicationslong-term complications

Despite our best efforts, it’s not Despite our best efforts, it’s not always in good controlalways in good control

2. Insulin is for life 2. Insulin is for life

Claire will always need insulinClaire will always need insulin Insulin is delivered continuously through Insulin is delivered continuously through

an insulin pump attached to her bodyan insulin pump attached to her body Claire is competent in using her pump to Claire is competent in using her pump to

give herself insulin. give herself insulin. www.pumpschool.minimed.com/www.pumpschool.minimed.com/

3. Monitoring is key to good 3. Monitoring is key to good controlcontrol

Claire checks her BG 4-6 times each Claire checks her BG 4-6 times each day with a glucose meter & finger day with a glucose meter & finger prick.prick.

BG checks are before each meal, BG checks are before each meal, bedtime, and before extensive periods bedtime, and before extensive periods of exercise.of exercise.

Extra checks are needed if BG is too Extra checks are needed if BG is too low or too highlow or too high

Meter, lancet, & strips (i.e., test kit) Meter, lancet, & strips (i.e., test kit) must be with Claire at all times!must be with Claire at all times!

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4. There are critical conditions 4. There are critical conditions that need adult attention:that need adult attention:

#1: Hypoglycemia= BG is too low (<80)#1: Hypoglycemia= BG is too low (<80) Claire will feel shaky, clammy, weak, and appear paleClaire will feel shaky, clammy, weak, and appear pale She will need assistance in getting sugar immediately: She will need assistance in getting sugar immediately:

• 15 grams of carbohydrate=15 skittles, 4 oz. Juice or non-diet 15 grams of carbohydrate=15 skittles, 4 oz. Juice or non-diet pop, pop,

Never leave her unattended during an episode of Never leave her unattended during an episode of hypoglycemia (if untreated, hypoglycemia may cause hypoglycemia (if untreated, hypoglycemia may cause unconsciousness)unconsciousness)

Emergency Condition: if unconscious, administer Emergency Condition: if unconscious, administer glucogon treatment, call 911glucogon treatment, call 911

5. There are critical conditions 5. There are critical conditions that need adult attention:that need adult attention:

#2: Hyperglycemia=BG is too high (>240)#2: Hyperglycemia=BG is too high (>240) Claire may feel cranky or tired, nauseated, Claire may feel cranky or tired, nauseated,

excessively thirstyexcessively thirsty She will need to treat highs with:She will need to treat highs with:

• Extra insulinExtra insulin• Extra waterExtra water• Monitor for ketones (keep strips in locker)Monitor for ketones (keep strips in locker)

Follow instructions for treatment of ketonesFollow instructions for treatment of ketones

6. Food is our friend6. Food is our friend

Claire eats a balanced diet to stay healthyClaire eats a balanced diet to stay healthy Snacks are sometimes needed to keep BG Snacks are sometimes needed to keep BG

stablestable Carbohydrates are counted to give the correct Carbohydrates are counted to give the correct

amount of insulinamount of insulin Sugar is NOT off-limits, but must be countedSugar is NOT off-limits, but must be counted Claire uses carb-counting at lunchtime to Claire uses carb-counting at lunchtime to

calculate her insulin needs.calculate her insulin needs.

7. Exercise will lower BG7. Exercise will lower BG

Physical activity may lower BG quicklyPhysical activity may lower BG quickly For extended periods, Claire may need to:For extended periods, Claire may need to:

Test during the activity or stop to treat low BGTest during the activity or stop to treat low BG Disconnect her pump Disconnect her pump

8. Diabetes isn’t always 8. Diabetes isn’t always predictable… predictable…

Blood glucose levels are affected by a lot Blood glucose levels are affected by a lot of factors and highs/lows are not of factors and highs/lows are not uncommon. uncommon.

Highs & Lows may mean that Claire needs Highs & Lows may mean that Claire needs to:to: Take breaks during class work or tests to Take breaks during class work or tests to

check BG or treat symptomscheck BG or treat symptoms Have extra time or additional instruction to Have extra time or additional instruction to

make up work due to these breaksmake up work due to these breaks

9. Diabetes requires extra planning 9. Diabetes requires extra planning for:for: Field tripsField trips Substitute teachersSubstitute teachers Evacuation/shelter in place proceduresEvacuation/shelter in place procedures Sick DaysSick Days

10. Diabetes takes teamwork!10. Diabetes takes teamwork!

Claire’s “team” includes: parents, nurses, faculty, Claire’s “team” includes: parents, nurses, faculty, support staff, medical team, family & friendssupport staff, medical team, family & friends

Recognize that it is hard work to manage Recognize that it is hard work to manage diabetes and let us know if there is a concerndiabetes and let us know if there is a concern

Claire is our best teacher (and a kid first).Claire is our best teacher (and a kid first). See Claire's Quick Reference or 504 Plan on file See Claire's Quick Reference or 504 Plan on file

for more specific information about her for more specific information about her necessary accommodations. necessary accommodations.

Resources:Resources:

American Diabetes AssociationAmerican Diabetes Association 1-800- DIABETES1-800- DIABETES

www.diabetes.orgwww.diabetes.org

National Diabetes Education Program/NIHNational Diabetes Education Program/NIHwww.ndep.nih.govwww.ndep.nih.gov