Depends on how the son is treated. If he’s on MDI (Multiple Daily Injections), he’d need syringes + insulin to combat highs and snacks, food, juice to combat lows. In any case, you’ll also need a GM (Glucose Monitor) so that you can check his sugars regularly. This would include the meter, test strips, alcohol wipes, cotton balls. You’ll idealy want a way to keep the insulin cool, but in an emergency case, folks here have tested insulin in extreme conditions and have found that it will stay in high temps over prolonged times, as well as being able to be frozen and maintaining ability to treat blood glucose levels. Also, very important would be a “glucogon shot”. This is an emergency shot administered in the event the childs sugars drop so low that he goes unconscious and is unresponsive. It’s an immediate shot of sugar directly into the bloodstream that will bring his sugars back up.
IF on an insulin pump and CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor), you’d need pump parts and accessories, adhesive, etc., and the same with the CGM. Also any electronic needs batteries, or a way to charge the devices.
The treatments are carbs to treat lows (and to maintain proper metabolism) and insulin to avoid high BG’s. So any carbs that are eaten would need the insulin to cover them. MDI’s mean more manual shots each day (one per meal and any “correction” bolus that may be required, and pumps would be able to administer insulin but you’d need to program them. Diabetes isn’t too terribly hard to treat…but getting the RIGHT amounts of insulin at the RIGHT times is the hard part, and what takes most people the most time to figure out. There are long, medium and short acting insulins…and they each have their purposes. If they’re required, you’ll need to use these as often as necessitated by the insulin regimen.
The only important thing to a diabetic is that the insulin matches the carbs eaten. It’s really that simple. Anyone can eat anything at any time…although some foods are avoided because they tend to wreak havoc on the body, but that’s not to say they can’t eat them. They just have to learn how and when to administer insulin to avoid the havoc. But there’s nothing “off limits”. They don’t require any special “diet” although some people go no, or low carbs because it’s easier to treat.
I just asked this question in another thread and it may be a good read. My question was “How do Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia FEEL??” What are the outward manifestations of having a high, or a low, BG. In this thread, many T1’s and T2’s offer their own personal symptoms.
How do Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia FEEL?
Since the boy has already been diagnosed, he’d “hopefully” not have the initial symptoms of diabetes (such as being very thirsty, going #1 a lot, etc.,) With proper insulin management, those initial diagnosis symptoms wouldn’t exist any longer.
As far as survival, as @Michel’s son, @Kaelan found out last week…sun burn can cause very high BG levels. So lots of sun tan lotion and staying covered as much as possible will cut down on the high spikes. Avoid being injured or getting the child sick because diabetics tend to have a rough time when they’re sick (they require twice or more insulin as when they’re not sick.) Stay hydrated…this is important for anyone, but especially for diabetics. Also, hiking a lot may result in lows so always keep snacks, Glucose tabs, etc., to keep from getting Hypoglycemia.
Running out of insulin is definitely bad news (this will cause the BG levels to skyrocket and not come down which may result in DKA (Diabetic ketoacidosis). Remedy: Don’t run out of insulin. Also going low for too long a prolonged time is bad news (possible coma / death). Remedy: Check and treat frequently.
Welcome to FUDiabetes…A site dedicated to UNLIMITED people with Diabetes. The only limitations are those that each person may impose on themselves. With proper management, a diabetic can do anything that anyone else can do.