Tips to Tackle Type 1 Diabetes During Summer Break

For children with Type 1 diabetes the general lack of schedule, eating whenever hunger strikes, playing outdoors in the sun, swimming and staying up late during summer can wreak havoc with their blood sugar levels. //

Michelle Schweiger, DO, MPH, director of Pediatric Endocrinology at the Cedars-Sinai Maxine Dunitz Children's Health Center, says, "It's important for all parents of children with Type 1 diabetes to stick to an eating and sleeping schedule, even during summer break, and to continue monitoring their blood sugars four to six times a day."

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‘Kids who are outside playing all day may need less insulin, so parents need to monitor and measure carefully.’

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Schweiger's summertime guidelines for her patients with Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes, include:

- If a child is sleeping later than usual, parents should check the child's blood sugar levels before letting the child go back to sleep.

- When traveling, parents should make sure to pack a letter from their child's pediatric endocrinologist authorizing them to travel with syringes, needles and pumps. Also, remember that pumps should not go through airport X-ray machines.

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- Insulin needs to be at room temperature. If your child is taking a road trip, travel with a cold pack for the insulin.

- Exercise affects blood sugar levels. Kids who are outside playing all day may need less insulin, so parents need to monitor and measure carefully.

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- Check blood sugar levels before your child goes swimming. If your child is on an insulin pump, you probably need to disconnect it before your child gets in the water.

- If your child wants to take a break from wearing an insulin pump this summer, talk with your doctor about long-acting injections.

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- Parents sending their child to summer camp need to make sure the camp is aware of the child's needs. Find out if there is a counselor or a camp nurse who is familiar with the needs of Type 1 diabetes patients and who can treat high or low blood sugar levels. Find out where your child can store insulin and other diabetes-related equipment.

- During the summer, children might be enrolled in new activities where others are not aware of their medical needs. Consider purchasing your child a diabetes ID bracelet.

- Remember to stay well hydrated, especially in hot weather. Dehydration causes a rise in blood sugars. A good rule of thumb is to never wait until you are thirsty to drink water.

Source-Newswise