Treatment and Prevention
Lifelong replacement therapy with insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes. Insulin treatment needs to be injected; it can't be taken by mouth, as it is broken down in the stomach. There are many types of insulin, classifiable as short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting. Premixed insulins are also available; these are short-acting and intermediate-acting insulins mixed together. The amount of insulin needed depends on a number of factors, notably:
- your weight
- amount of body fat and muscle you have
- how much you eat and exercise
Some people with diabetes take one or two insulin injections or shots per day, while others have three or four.
Proper nutrition is important, and a dietary plan made in consultation with a dietitian should be part of diabetes care. Following a healthy balanced meal plan helps control blood glucose. This means watching what you eat, when you eat it, and how much you eat. Exercise also helps to improve blood glucose control. Light weight training with aerobic exercise (such as jogging or walking) has been shown to help improve your body's response to insulin.
As part of proper diabetes management, a person with diabetes should be aware of the symptoms of abnormal blood glucose levels and know how to properly monitor blood glucose levels, using a home glucose monitor, available at most pharmacies. Blood glucose self-testing is necessary for all people with diabetes taking insulin. Regular testing throughout the day will guide you and your doctor in determining how much insulin you need. Self-testing will give you the information you need to avoid the signs and symptoms of diabetes, including those of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. There are many different blood glucose meters available on the market. Before buying a meter, you should speak to you doctor or other diabetes health professional about which ones are most suited to you needs.
You should remember to always keep glucose tablets, candies containing sugar, or other sources of quickly absorbed glucose with you at all times to protect against hypoglycemia. Your doctor and other diabetes health professionals can help you identify appropriate sources of glucose.
To prevent complications, it's important to follow your diabetes management plan and keep your blood glucose levels in a healthy range. By taking insulin as prescribed by your doctor, and making sure that you check your blood glucose regularly, you can keep type 1 diabetes well controlled and avoid complications.
Here are some tips to help you stay healthy and prevent some of the long-term complications of diabetes:
Foot care: Poor circulation and nerve damage caused by diabetes can reduce sensitivity in the feet. It's important to check your feet regularly, looking for any blisters, cuts or sores. Always keep your feet clean and dry and protect them by wearing socks and comfortable shoes.
Eye care: Eye problems (retinopathy) due to diabetes can even lead to blindness, so make sure you have your eyes checked by an eye doctor (ophthamologist) at least once a year. By treating problems early, you can avoid serious complications.
Skin care: High blood glucose and poor circulation can lead to skin problems such as slow healing after an injury or frequent infections. Make sure you wash every day with a mild soap and warm water, protect your skin by using sunscreen, take good care of any cuts or scrapes with proper cleansing and bandaging, and see a doctor when cuts heal slowly or if an infection develops.