A diabetes kit is a packet of tools especially created to deal with the extreme highs and lows that can happen with type one diabetes. Having a diabetes kit doesn’t mean you are not working hard to control your diabetes, it is just added insurance in case something happens.
For teenagers as well as children, growing and changing can increase the likelihood of extreme highs and lows. Its just part of the body’s physical changes.
Your diabetes kit
The diabetes kit is an insulated bag or backpack. It should contain
1) a blood glucose meter with glucose test strips
2) a lancet (with your Dario glucose monitoring device you have both #1 and #2 on this list covered)
3) alcohol wipes to clean your testing site
4) fast acting insulin in case your blood glucose is too high
5) a syringe (even if you have an insulin pump, always carry a syringe with you)
6) glucose tablets, fruit drink, candy or any other fast acting simple carbohydrate for low blood sugar
7) a notebook to record what happened (again with your Dario glucose monitoring system, you have this covered)
8) a pen
9) emergency contact information
10) diabetes card
11) glucagon kit for severe hypoglycemia
12) directions on using the glucagon kit
13) ketone urine test strips
What is glucagon? Why include it with my diabetes kit?
If you’ve forgotten, glucagon is a hormone produced by alpha cells of the pancreas. This hormone tells the liver to release stored glucose (which is called glycogen). The kit contains a syringe pre-filled with diluting solution and a vial of glucagon. The glucagon kit is used for severe hypoglycemia. It is used when:
· you are not able to eat or drink a fast acting simple carb
· even after repeatedly eating a fast acting simple carb your blood sugar stays low
· you are unconscious
· you are having seizures
What about ketones? Why keep urine strips in my diabetes kit?
Ketones are a product of the body burning fat for energy. When there is too little insulin in the blood, the glucose in the blood will not be transferred to the cells. Testing for ketones should be done if your blood sugar level is above 240 mg/dL.
Juvenile diabetes is part of your life but it doesn’t have to keep you from living. Being a pancreas is not easy. Carrying a diabetes kit is just another piece of insurance to be sure that “Nothing Holds You Back.”