About Insulin

Insulin is the ONLY effective treatment for Type 1 Diabetes and it can be taken only as injections.

Different methods of injection:

Needles and syringes

Pen injections

Automatic injectors

Indwelling catheters

Insulin pumps

How to store Insulin?

AWAY from heat and direct sunlight
NEVER let it freeze
Keep unused bottles, cartridges and pens in the DOOR of the refrigerator
Keep currently using bottles, cartridges and pens at the ROOM TEMPERATURE
If fridge is not available or there are frequent power cuts: store in an earthen pitcher kept in another EARTHEN BOWL filled with wet sand

TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH A CHILD WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES

COMPLICATIONS

Ketoacidosis & Hypoglycemia
Ketoacidosis : High blood sugar, accumulation of ketone bodies and acid in the blood, that occurs when insulin is insufficient, or during infections. High levels of glucose in the blood means there is insufficient amount of glucose available to cells. As a result, the body breaks down fat to derive energy. This produces ketones, leading to higher acidity of the blood. Diabetic ketoacidosis requires urgent medical attention. Symptoms include symptoms of hyperglycemia, along with nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, a fruity smell of the breath, drowsiness or confusion, increased rate of breathing, dehydration and loss of consciousness.
Hypoglycemia : or low blood sugar, that results from either higher dose of insulin than needed by the body, or poor intake of food or excessive physical activity.
Symptoms of hypoglycemia : It is important to learn its signs and symptoms as it can be dangerous. Mild to moderate hypoglycemia symptoms– headache, sweating, chills, palpitations, dizziness, blurred vision, agitation, shakiness, anxiety, hunger, tingling or numbness in the lips or tongue, pale face. The neuroglycopenicor severe symptoms include - Confusion, weakness or fatigue, seizure or convulsions, coma. This occurs as brain is deprived of glucose.


Eye complications : glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy.
Nephropathy : uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to kidney disease.
Neuropathy : tingling, foot ulcers
Foot complications : neuropathy, ulcers, and sometimes even gangrene.
Heart problems : such as ischemic heart disease, when the blood supply to the heart muscle is decreased.
Hypertension : It is common in people with diabetes; it can also increase the risk of kidney disease, eye problems, heart attack and stroke.
Mental health : depression, anxiety and some other mental disorders.
Others : Hearing loss, gum disease, gastroparesis.
Infections : people with poorly controlled diabetes are more vulnerable to infections.
Delayed healing of wounds : cuts and lesions take much longer to heal.