Diabetes strikes at any age, but one type of diabetes is particularly notorious among very young patients. It’s called juvenile diabetes. There is a relatively high prevalence of diabetes in children, making it a cause of concern for parents whose children have been diagnosed with this chronic, insulin-dependent condition. There are a number of products for diabetic children that will be required to successfully manage this disease. Some of them are discussed below.
Blood glucose meter or glucometer – Among the various products for diabetic children, this one should be at the top of your list. A glucometer is a portable device that measures the glucose levels in the patient’s blood. You don’t normally have to pay a lot of money to get one of these devices since manufacturers sell them at a very low price and many insurance companies provide coverage for them. However, when choosing a particular brand or model, it is best to first check the price and availability of compatible test strips. This is because these strips comprise the bulk of the costs incurred in monitoring blood glucose levels. Test strips are usually priced at $1 or so per strip, but it is not uncommon to find strips for 50 cent apiece, so do your research before making a purchase.
Insulin pen – An insulin pen is a portable insulin delivery system that looks very much like a regular pen. It injects controlled doses of insulin into the bloodstream without the need for the assistance of a health care professional. There are two types of insulin pens: the pre-filled pen and the durable pen. The former is a disposable pen that contains pre-mixed insulin and the latter is a pen that only needs cartridge replacements. There is, however, a new type of insulin pen that has a built-in memory. It can contain up to a hundred values which makes recording the time, date and insulin dosage easier for the user.
Emergency glucose tablet – Whereas adults use candy and other sweets to control insulin reactions, diabetic children are given emergency glucose tablets that deliver precise amounts of glucose into the bloodstream to normalize the levels. Although a lot of people see these as candy substitutes, they do not look candy at all so parents and teachers should not have any problem with mistaking them.
Insulin pump – Otherwise known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy, an insulin pump is a medical device that is used to administer insulin to treat symptoms of diabetes. This device is comprised of a pump, a disposable reservoir that is attached inside the pump, and a disposable infusion set. Taking the price out of the equation, an insulin pump is a good alternative to daily injections of insulin because you don’t have to constantly remember when to inject yourself. When used alongside a carbohydrate counting device and a blood glucose monitoring device, it can make for an intensive system of insulin therapy.
Lancets and lancet devices – These are devices used to draw blood samples for blood glucose testing. The priority in choosing these types of products for diabetic children is to find one that will give the least amount of discomfort to the child using it.