A site is where Andrew gets insulin from his pump into his body. It's like getting an IV. It is inserted with a needle, but leaves a soft "straw" (cannula) once the needle is withdrawn. To prevent infection, it must be changed to another part of the body every 2-3 days. If it doesn't get inserted correctly, Andrew gets NO insulin and gets sick very quickly.
Andrew needs insulin to live, even if he doesn't eat anything. The pump gives small amounts of insulin every few minutes just like your pancreas does for you. This is his basal insulin & it takes care of his basic needs. The pump allows the amount of insulin given each hour to vary. On shots, long-acting insulin works the same for all 24 hours, even if you need more or less while you sleep.
If Andrew eats anything, he needs extra insulin to cover it. We still have to calculate the number of carbs he eats and give him insulin for it. A bolus is an extra dose of insulin given to cover food or high BG.
Ketones are created as fat is burned for energy. Blood glucose is energy for the cells in the body & insulin allows it to get into the cells. When a diabetic doesn't have enough insulin, the glucose stays in the blood & the cells starve. That's why newly diagnosed patients were usually losing weight. The ketones release an acid that can be very dangerous. DKA, diabetic ketoacidosis, can be fatal.
It's no wonderful that folks end up with serious problems with diabetes. Y'all are blessed to be educated and mathematicians....but there are so many folks that struggle with basic learning
ReplyDeleteWe are very blessed! I am more convinced than ever that everyone needs basic math skills! Someday your life may depend on it! The pump does the math of calculating insulin if you tell it how many carbs you ate & what your BG is. That helps since we have to divide by a different ratio at each meal & I was always afraid I would forget & use the wrong one!
ReplyDeleteOn the serious problems note, some people do everything right & still end up with complications. Keeping your A1c under a 7 (or 7.5 for kids) has been shown to help prevent complications. Even with all we do, Andrew's best ever A1c has been a 7.5.