Question

This question is based on a scenario. A sportsperson who is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was five years old. The doctor put him on a conventional insulin regimen to maintain blood sugar. But now he wants to play in the soccer team and is pretty healthy except he is only on insulin. He requested his doctor to convert to intensive insulin therapy. His blood sugar is well maintained, diet is perfect, and knowing how to give insulin. But mom is concerned with sending him away. My question is how a nurse should advise both son and mom based on the given information.

Answer 1

During exercise body releases glucose in the blood. If someone is diabetic and there is not enough insulin level to use up that glucose then glucose remain the blood and cause hyperglycemia. So it is important to take insulin management on time.

It is very important for type 1 diabetic athelet child to keep balance between atheletic performance and blood glucose level. Because muscles when contract during exercise then they take up more blood glucose causing hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia effects the blood electrolytes and further can reduce sports performance.

So, it is important in diabetes management plan to maintain little bit high blood glucose to prevent hypoglycemia after taking insulin.

But sugar level more than 200mg/dl is also detrimental.so, it is important to keep check on the level.

It is also advisable to keep check on ketones level. It is advisable to not do exercise if ketone is excreting through urine because it makes the person more sick.

So the nurse should advice the child and mother the following things:

1. To test yourself regularly before and after exercise.

2.take the right dose of insulin.

3.eat right and it is very important to keep snack with yourself and eat before , during or after workout to prevent hypoglycemia.

4. Keep all your essential things like testing kit, diabetes management plan copy, medication, medical emergency number. Keep these in special bag for emergency.

5 tell your coach about your diabetes so they should know what you would do before,during and after exercise about your diabetes management.

6. Take break from your sports activity if you feel any need to take snack or medication and talk to coach if medical emergency is needed, don't feel shy to tell your problem.