Giving an insulin injection to a child with diabetes
Why does my child need insulin?
If your child has type 1 diabetes, his or her body no longer produces insulin. Because insulin is not available, sugar cannot enter body cells to be used for energy. As a result, the blood sugar level rises. Insulin injections are necessary to keep blood sugar levels within a target range when a person has type 1 diabetes.
If your child has type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas isn't able to produce enough insulin or your child's body tissues have become resistant to insulin. Children with type 2 diabetes may need to take oral diabetes pills to control their blood sugar.
Your child with type 2 diabetes may need insulin if eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and taking diabetes pills have not kept his or her blood sugar levels within a target range. Your child may now need insulin injections either alone or in combination with oral medicine.
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In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body tissues are resistant to insulin.
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| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: January 30, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator | |
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