Child with Diabetes - history taking and counseling.
Introduction:
How old is he?
Is he lethargic and drowsy?
Is he having temperature and any coughs and colds?
How much does he drink? How often does he go for a wee?
Does he wake up at night for a drink?
How is his appetite? Weight loss?
H/o diarrhoea?
Does ist sting during wee?
H/o recurrent UTI?
Past h/o similar illness? H/o head injury, meningitis?
H/o Immunization?
Family history of DM.
Points in counseling:
Due to the lack of insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, the blood sugar always remains high.
The child may pass a lot of urine and he may be dehydrated. There is an increased risk of infection and boils.
It can't be cured but can be kept under control by insulin injections. The cause of this is not known.
The good news is he can grow as a normal child with insulin. It is important that he takes insulin regularly. He should not skip meals. It is advisable to always carry sugary drinks or chocolate. He will go into hypoglycaemia if he skips a meal. Hypoglycaemia presents as irritability, sweating, drowsiness, light-headedness and abdominal pain. It is important to recognise these symptoms. If he is ill he should still take insulin regularly with sugary drinks.
Diet: advice from a dietitian, high-refined food and plenty of starches. Our diabetic nurse will have a word with you.
Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels. Hyperglycaemia will cause damage to the body organs in the long run. So it is important to keep the blood sugar within the normal range.
He will have regular follow ups. His GP will be informed. Here are some leaflets to know more about his condition. If you have any doubts please don't hesitate to ask. Thank you.