Basal Bolus: Explaining Type 1 Diabetes
This resource from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is for patients who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This information is included in basal bolus safety skills training.
It is a disease that attacks your child's pancreas (an organ within the body) and destroys insulin producing cells called beta cells. The beta cells stop making insulin.
It is the second most common life-long condition in children.
Why is type 2 diabetes different than type 1?
The blood sugar is high but for different reasons. Insulin is still made by the pancreas but does not work well (insulin resistance).
Family history of diabetes, low physical activity, and a higher body weight may increase risk of type 2 diabetes.
Meal planning, exercise, pills, and insulin injections are used to control type 2 diabetes.
What is insulin?
Insulin is a hormone made by the beta cells in the pancreas.
Insulin allows sugar (glucose) to enter the body's cells to give them energy. Your child needs this energy to think, play and work.
Insulin makes the blood sugar levels go down.
What happens without insulin?
Sugar (glucose) is not able to enter the body's cells to give energy.
The sugar builds up in your child's bloodstream.
The blood sugar will go higher. Things will start to happen that are dangerous to your child's health.
What is the treatment?
Insulin by injection is the only treatment for type 1 diabetes.
Insulin injections will replace the insulin your child no longer makes. There is no pill form of insulin.
Meal planning and exercise also help control diabetes.
How did my child get type 1 diabetes?
You and your child did not cause this. There is no way you could have prevented it.
The exact cause is not known.
There is a genetic (hereditary) risk.
There is also an unknown trigger that causes the beta cells to stop working.
How will diabetes affect my child's life?
Your child is still the same.
Your child can still do everything they used to do. This includes:
There is nothing your child cannot do with a diabetes diagnosis.
Will my child have to go to the hospital more often?
Most children are only admitted to the hospital when first diagnosed.
Your child's immune system (the same thing that fights colds and infections) is still working.
Your child should not miss more school than other children.
By keeping blood sugars in the ideal range most of the time, your child will not have trouble fighting infections.
What are the chances of my other children or grandchildren getting diabetes?
There is a 1 in 20 chance of a brother or sister getting diabetes.
There is a 1 in 20 chance your grandchild will get diabetes.
What is the honeymoon phase?
Right after diagnosis, your child's pancreas may still be making a little insulin. The amount of insulin given by injection will be lower.
The honeymoon may last several months to 2 years.
Overall, insulin needs may increase when the honeymoon phase is over. There may be more variability in blood sugars.
Daily diabetes care:
There are diabetes tasks you and your child will need to do every day. This involves:
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Using a blood glucose meter to check blood sugars at least 4 times a day.
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Counting total number of carbohydrates in meals and snacks.
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Giving injections of insulin before each meal/snack and at bedtime.
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Keeping detailed records of blood sugars, carbohydrates consumed, and insulin amounts.
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Eating healthy meals and snacks.
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Staying active by exercising regularly.
Your child needs to wear medical alert identification at all times.
We will teach you and will be here to support you.
How often will we see our diabetes team?
Plan to bring your child to appointments at least every 3 months.
Plan to attend more education classes over time.
We have a team of professionals to help you manage diabetes and you will meet with a variety of team members at appointments.
Reviewed on April 23, 2023