Autumn/Winter 2004 newsletter

Hello everyone, hope you all enjoyed your summer holidays and that you didn't get rained on too much!

FLU

As most people are aware, children with diabetes are eligible for the flu jab. If you have not already received this, you can contact your GP to arrange to have this done.

COUGHS AND SNEEZES

Winter is approaching and with it comes the season for coughs and sneezes and other bugs.

Top tips: -

1. Check that Ketostix are in date
2. Check that you have some fast acting insulin for emergencies (NovoRapid, Humalog Lispro, Humulin S, Actrapid) and that it is in date
3. Check that you have sugary drinks or carbohydrate replacement
4. Check that you have plenty of blood glucose monitoring strips

What to do if your child is ill: -

1. Never stop the insulin, even more may be needed
2. Test blood glucose levels more frequently (2-4 hourly)
3. Test urine for ketones, if ketones are present more insulin may be needed
4. Replace food with sips of sugary fluids if not eating as well as drinking sugar free fluids
5. Give general care for illness e.g. Calpol/Paracetamol for temperature and contact GP if necessary
6. Contact the Diabetes Team for help

If you would like an up-date on how to manage illness then please contact one of us for help and advice.

HOW TO CONTACT US

By phone - LGI

By e-mail

gwendoline.sewell@leedsth.nhs.uk

julie.cropper@leedsth.nhs.uk

melani.hill@leedsth.nhs.uk

By phone – SJUH

By e-mail

carole.gelder@leedsth.nhs.uk

carol.bacon@leedsth.nhs.uk

jane.exall@leedsth.nhs.uk

On weekdays between 5pm and 8pm , you may contact a Nurse Specialist via one of the mobile numbers if you have an urgent enquiry such as managing illness or a bad hypo.

Some of you may be interest in a book written for children and families with Type I Diabetes by Roger Hangas. Titled “Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults” second edition, published by Class.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

The local Diabetes UK Support Group have organised a Christmas party for children under 12 years of age on the 4th December 2-4pm at The Allerton Conference and Banqueting Centre, Alwoodley. If anyone hasn't received an invitation and you would like to attend, please contact one of us.

CHRISTMAS FOOD & FESTIVITIES

If you would like some advice regarding diabetes and the festive season, then please contact one of the diabetes team who will be happy to advise you.

Here are a few general suggestions from Frances : -

Enjoy Christmas and New Year, it's a time for celebration and eating for everyone, a little of what you fancy over Christmas will definitely do you good and an odd high glucose reading shouldn't affect your long term control or health.

• Chocolate advent calendars – it's only a small amount of chocolate (if you only have 1 calendar), so eat it with a meal and enjoy!

• ‘Diabetic' sweets and chocolates are best avoided. They are expensive, don't taste as good and if eaten in excess, can give you tummy ache or diarrhoea. It's better to have small amounts of ‘proper' chocolate that can be spread out throughout the day or eaten with meals. If you do receive diabetic chocolate, don't eat it all at once!

• Stick with sugar free or diet drinks, or fresh juice only with meals. Fresh fruit juice has lots of natural sugar which will send blood sugars high if taken without insulin.
• Save your selection boxes – they will last into January and don't need to be eaten all at once.

• Love the Xmas fruit and veg! Fruit salad, melon, satsumas, fruit juice, dried fruit, parsnips, carrots, peas, brussel sprouts, broccoli. Make sure you have your share of these too over Xmas, not just crisps, chocolate and cake!
• Lastly, take some exercise to walk off the large meals and puddings. Save the DVD's and computer games until it's dark and get outside when you can.

FOOD AND INSULIN OVER XMAS DAY

If you are on twice or three times a day insulin, and Xmas dinner is at lunchtime, give a couple of extra units in the morning (mixed insulin) to cover the ‘grazing' (nibbling between meals!) and extra food and pudding eaten at lunch.

If you are on 4 times a day insulin, then count up your big meals and adjust the insulin, giving extra for the grazing if necessary. Give the insulin after eating the main course, but include units for pudding.