• Are there any diabetes apps for smartphones that you recommend to help with diabetes care?
• When should my child start doing his/her own diabetes tasks?
• I'm going to an amusement park and I wear a pump. Anything I need to do?
• I will be traveling to Europe this sumer with my friends. What do I need to do?
• I use insulin pens and I like to leave them in the car instead of carrying them around. Is this okay?
• How do I figure out how many carbs are in my favorite recipe?

Are there any diabetes apps for smartphones that you recommend to help with diabetes care?

There are many apps available, such as:

IPhone

• Log for Life: free 30 day trial, $9 monthly subscription
• Go meals: Free food log
• CalorieKing Calorie Counter: Free
• Track3 - $4.99
• Diabetes Personal Calculator: $0.99
• Diabetes Personal Manager: $4.99
• Drag ‘n Cook: meal planning app by Joslin's Asian American Diabetes Initiative

Android

• Diabetes Log: $8.11 (demo in “lite” version is free)
• QuantiaCare for Diabetes: Free access to nutrition information for over 8,000 foods
• Insulin Bolus Calculator: $3.60
• Glucose Meter: $2.84

  When should my child start doing his/her own diabetes tasks?

  That is a great question to ask your child’s healthcare team, because the answer is different for each child. While some children may be physically able to handle some diabetes tasks at a very young age, we still prefer that the parents help with these tasks. We encourage family involvement for diabetes tasks during childhood and even during adolescence. We recommend parents check in with their child and ask how they can help. By sharing the responsibilities, you ease the burden of diabetes on the child and hopefully help reach glycemic control targets. Diabetes is hard work, and no one should be expected to do it all alone. When you go to your clinic visits, talk with your health care team about what are realistic expectations for your child. You can also consider meeting with one of our family support specialists, Debbie Butler, LICSW or Dr. Jessica Markowitz, PhD.
  -Debbie Butler, MSW, LICSW, CDE

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  I’m going to an amusement park and I wear a pump. Anything I need to do?

  
  

  It is important to take precautions to be sure that your pump is protected during your trip. "Free-fall" amusement park rides sometimes use very powerful electromagnets. Pumps should be removed and not taken on these "free-fall" types of rides. High gravity forces can be experienced when riding on some roller-coasters. It is recommended that you disconnect (NOT just suspend) your pump while on roller-coaster rides or at water parks. You may want to use a basal bolus program, consisting of a long-acting insulin analog (detemir (Levemir) or glargine (Lantus)) and a rapid-acting insulin analog (lispro (Humalog), aspart (Novolog), or glulisine (Apidra)) instead of a pump for a day at the park. Contact your healthcare provider for further recommendations regarding possible changes to your insulin needs at amusement parks.

  
  

  I will be traveling to Europe this summer with my friends. What do I need to do?

  The Transportation Security Association (TSA) specifically states that passengers are permitted to board airplanes with insulin, syringes, insulin pumps, liquids “including water, juice, or liquid nutrition,” and “all diabetes related medication, equipment and supplies.” Tips for traveling are as follows:

  • Arrive at the airport early to allow enough time to get through security
  • Bring a travel letter from your diabetes health care team
  • Bring prescriptions for your supplies (not required but it is advisable to have backups in case you need additional supplies while away)
  • Pack all your diabetes supplies in clear plastic bags so they can be inspected easily and always place in your carry-on luggage 
  • All supplies should be clearly labeled
  • Bring extra supplies to make sure you do not run out
  • Carry some quick-acting glucose or small juice boxes to treat lows and carry some snacks
  • Wear medical identification and carry contact information for your diabetes team
  • Review the TSA website http://www.tsa.gov/
  • You can continue to wear your insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) while going through common security systems such as an airport metal detector as it will not harm the device or trigger an alarm. DO NOT send the devices through the x-ray machine.
  • You will need to remove your insulin pump and CGM (sensor and transmitter) while going through the newer airport body scanners. If you do not wish to remove your devices, you may request an alternative pat-down screening process.
  • With any of the security systems, notify the security officer if you are wearing a pump (or CGM device) and you intend to walk through the security sensor with it. Do not be surprised if you receive a “pat down,” this is for your safety!
  • If you are traveling and want to be able to call your diabetes team, make sure you know how to make an international call. You will need to enable your cell phone to make international calls or you can get an international calling card. To place a call to another country, dial the destination country’s code before the phone number (USA is +01).

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  I use insulin pens and I like to leave them in the car instead of carrying them around. Is this okay?

  A: It is recommended that you do not leave insulin pens or insulin vials in the car because insulin is sensitive to cold and heat.  Extreme temperatures will cause the insulin not to work as well, which could result in higher blood sugars.

  It is also important not to leave test strips or blood glucose meters in your car either as these are temperature sensitive as well. If you must, there are insulated bags available that can help you protect the insulin against these temperature variations. 

  How do I figure out how many carbs are in my favorite recipe?

  A: Look up the carbs of all the ingredients in your recipe, add them up, then divide by the number of servings. This will give you the number of carbs in one serving.  So for example, if your favorite fruit smoothie recipe is:

  ½ cup skim milk                   6 grams carb

  ½ cup frozen blueberries  10 grams carb

  ½ cup vanilla ice cream     15 grams carb

  The total carbohydrate in the recipe is 31 grams for the entire smoothie (1-1/2 cups) or 15 for ½ the recipe.

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