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Kristine is a professional freelance writer and traveler. She works as Key Sales Account Executive focusing on strategic planning and implementation of projects for a ...
Aside from the first diagnosis and treatment, a change in lifestyle is imperative for diabetes patients that are diagnosed with the Type 1 or juvenile diabetes. Without cooperation of the patient or the guardians, effective care is almost impossible to carry out. A team consisting of doctor, dentist, dietician as well as dermatologist working together is necessary to care thoroughly for Diabetes Type I patient. For this type of diabetes, there is a need for long-term commitment to the care and treatment. This includes blood sugar monitoring, insulin, healthy eating and regular exercise.
Blood Sugar Monitoring- Checking and recording of the blood sugar is essential and needs to be done at least three times a day. The several times may increase or decrease depending on the type of insulin therapy prescribed by doctors. Usually this entails frequent finger pricking and on some other sites. This is the only way to find if sugar levels in the blood are within the target ranges, which may change, as the patient grows older.Insulin Therapy- People with Type I diabetes needs insulin to survive. There is no other way to go about it. The reason insulin needs to be injected is because stomach enzymes interfere with the insulin and this makes oral administration ineffective. Oral insulin does not lower blood sugar. Several types of insulin are available to use in the treatment and these include rapid acting, short acting, long acting and intermediate acting.
Dosages and types may vary with mixing of different types prescribed by doctors throughout the day and night on a case-to-case basis. Insulin administration using fine needle and syringe. Another option is the insulin pens that look like pens with the exception that the contents are insulin. Another option is insulin pumps for some patients. These pumps are about the size of cell phones, which may be attached under the skin using catheters. Some pumps are programmed to administer insulin at certain times and dosages.
Healthy Eating/Diet- Although there are recommendations of Diabetes diet, there is sadly, no such thing as diabetes diet, only wise and correct food choices. Most dietician recommend plenty of fruits and vegetables for more fibre content. Whole grains are also given. These foods contain more nutritional value and have less fat and caloric values. Fats and sweets intake are not recommended however, should medical condition arises, sweets and fats are given in low dosages.
Because most diabetes I patients are children who have poor control over food choices, members of the same household need to adjust their food choices as well for less conflicts. As certain foods can cause spikes or rapid changes in blood sugar levels, it is best avoided or eliminated. The only effective way to change diet of diabetic patient is to check how each food affects the blood sugar as well as how the patient respond to the food they have eaten.
Regular exercise and Physical Activity- In healthy people, regular exercise plays an important role to support good health. This is even more important for Diabetes I patients. Aerobic exercise is best. Note that certain activities lower the levels blood sugar and may affect the patient for many hours after the activity. Frequent monitoring as well as adjustments in treatment and food intake change, when a new activity is introduced to the patient is needed.
Food choices taught carefully and early on thoroughly understood by children is important. At the same time, the child needs to know why it is imperative he take an active role in the management of his condition. A medical identification tag worn at all times is crucial for easy identification and medical help. When he is of school age, coordination with the school's teachers and health workers should be undertaken to make sure that people in the school could recognize problems and symptoms.
Kristine loves to travel and works as a freelance writer. She also worked as a Key Accounts Executive in the Philippines. If you are looking for technical content writer check out her profile at oDesk
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This article has been viewed 7 time(s). Article Submitted On: May 18, 2011
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