Managing Type 1 Diabetes
While type 1 diabetes has no cure, with proper care, people can travel well through life with type 1 diabetes.
This requires a combination of insulin, blood sugar management, support, and education:
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Medication (Insulin)
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas can no longer produce insulin. That means you need to learn to monitor your blood glucose levels and administer your insulin using insulin pens or syringes, or an insulin pump. Medical supervision may be required to determine which insulin regimen works best for you and help you make adjustments in response to daily life. -
Exercise
Staying physically active is a key component of diabetes management. Exercise helps stabilize blood glucose levels and reduce your risk of heart disease. It’s also a mood elevator that can help with those diabetes blues. Understanding how exercise affects the blood sugar and how to adjust insulin to prevent hyper- and hypoglycemia requires the support of a healthcare provider who understands type 1 diabetes. Whatever your fitness level, there are plenty of ways you can get moving, even if it’s just a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Talk to your doctor about starting an exercise program. -
Nutrition
Every person with diabetes benefits from working with a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator (RD, CDE) to understand the relationship between food, blood glucose, and insulin needs. Diet is crucial to diabetes management. Working with a dietitian, you will discover how different foods affect you and learn to plan healthy, delicious meals that won’t spike your blood glucose. Your dietitian will teach you the basics, like what foods to generally avoid, and how to count carbohydrates. -
Support
Many people with type 1 diabetes participate in support groups. Sharing experiences, challenges, tips, new research, and recipes with people who “know the ropes” is especially helpful if you are newly diagnosed. Support groups are also available for the parents of a child with type 1 diabetes.
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