Your body changes carbohydrates in the food you eat into glucose (a form of sugar). Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter all the cells of your body and be used as energy.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when a person's body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use insulin properly. When you have diabetes, the sugar builds up in your blood instead of moving into the cells. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease and damage to the nerves and kidneys.
There are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't produce any insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Between 90-95% of people who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. It is sometimes called juvenile diabetes because it is usually discovered in children and teenagers, but adults may also have it.
Type 1 Diabetes
What is diabetes? What is type 1 diabetes?
What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?
What problems can type 1 diabetes cause?
How can these problems be prevented?
How do I control my blood sugar level?
How will I know if my blood sugar level is too high?
What should I do if my blood sugar level is too high?
What are the signs of low blood sugar?
How else can I prevent complications with my diabetes?
Can I live a normal life with diabetes?
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Type 1 Diabetes
What is diabetes? What is type 1 diabetes?
What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:
- Extreme hunger
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Blurry vision
What problems can type 1 diabetes cause?
People who have type 1 diabetes are more likely to have heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, high blood pressure, blindness, nerve damage and gum disease. These conditions are much more likely to occur in people who have diabetes than in people who do not. When you have type 1 diabetes, blood may not move as well through your legs and feet. If you don't get proper treatment, severe nerve damage can occur and lead to amputation (removal) of your feet. Untreated type 1 diabetes can cause a person to go into a coma. It can even kill you. The good news is that treatment and lifestyle changes can help prevent these problems.
How can these problems be prevented?
To help prevent these problems, follow your doctor's advice about diet and exercise. A healthy diet is key to controlling your blood sugar. Exercise helps move the sugar from your blood into your cells.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions for taking your insulin. Don't smoke. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels. If you do all of these things, you can greatly reduce your risk of complications.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions for taking your insulin. Don't smoke. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels. If you do all of these things, you can greatly reduce your risk of complications.
What should I eat?
The best diet for people who have type 1 diabetes is a diet that is also healthy for everyone: low in fat, low in cholesterol, low in salt and low in added sugars. It includes lots of complex carbohydrates (such as whole-grain breads, cereals and pasta), fruits and vegetables. This type of diet will help you control your blood sugar level, as well as your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It's also important to watch your portion size so you can control your blood sugar and maintain a healthy weight.
How do I control my blood sugar level?
People who have type 1 diabetes take insulin to keep their blood sugar level as close to normal as possible. There are several types of insulin. These are listed below. You and your doctor will decide which type of insulin (or combination of insulin) is right for you.
- Rapid-acting insulin (such as insulin lispro, insulin aspart and insulin glulisine) starts working in 5 to 15 minutes. Insulin lispro and insulin aspart last 2 to 5 hours. Insulin glulisine lasts for 60 to 90 minutes.
- Short-acting insulin (such as regular insulin) starts working in 30 to 60 minutes and lasts about 8 to 12 hours.
- Intermediate-acting insulin (such as insulin NPH) starts working in 60 to 90 minutes and lasts up to 24 hours.
- Long-acting insulin (such as insulin glargine and insulin detemir) starts working within 1 to 2 hours and lasts up to 24 hours.
- Premixed insulin is a combination of 2 types of insulin (usually a rapid- or short-acting insulin and an intermediate-acting insulin).
The best way to monitor your blood sugar is to test it often. In order to do this, you will prick your finger to get a small drop of blood that you put on a test strip. You can read the results yourself or insert the strip into a machine called an electronic glucose meter. The results will tell you whether or not your blood sugar is in a healthy range.
In order to keep blood sugar in a healthy range, most people who have type 1 diabetes take insulin before each meal and also before going to sleep each night. Your doctor will work with you to determine the right amount of insulin and when to take each dose.
In order to keep blood sugar in a healthy range, most people who have type 1 diabetes take insulin before each meal and also before going to sleep each night. Your doctor will work with you to determine the right amount of insulin and when to take each dose.
How will I know if my blood sugar level is too high?
High blood sugar (also called hyperglycemia) can occur even if you are eating properly and taking your insulin correctly. Eating too much food at a meal, getting sick, having hormonal changes and feeling stressed out can affect your blood sugar.
Symptoms of hyperglycemia include the following:
Symptoms of hyperglycemia include the following:
- Frequent urination
- Extreme thirst
- Blurry vision
- Feeling very tired
What should I do if my blood sugar level is too high?
If your blood sugar level goes higher than it should, you may need to take an extra dose of rapid- or short-acting insulin to return your blood sugar to the normal range. Your doctor can tell you how much insulin you need to take to lower your blood sugar level.
What are the signs of low blood sugar?
People who take insulin may have times when their blood sugar level is too low. Low blood sugar is called hypoglycemia. Signs of hypoglycemia include the following:
- Feeling very tired
- Frequent yawning
- Being unable to speak or think clearly
- Loss of muscle coordination
- Sweating
- Twitching
- Seizures
- Suddenly feeling like you're going to pass out
- Becoming very pale
- Loss of consciousness
People who have diabetes should carry at least 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate with them at all times in case of hypoglycemia. The following are examples of quick sources of energy that can relieve the symptoms:
- Nondiet soda: ½ to ¾ cup
- Fruit juice: ½ cup
- Fruit: 2 tablespoons of raisins
- Milk: 1 cup
- Candy: 5 Lifesavers
- Glucose tablets: 3 tablets (5 grams each)
If you don't feel better 15 minutes after having a fast-acting carbohydrate, or if monitoring shows that your blood sugar level is still too low, have another 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate.
Teach your friends, work colleagues and family members how to treat hypoglycemia, because sometimes you may need their help. Also, keep a supply of glucagon on hand. Glucagon comes in a kit with a powder and a liquid that must be mixed together and then injected (given as a shot). It will raise your blood sugar level. If you are unconscious, or you can't eat or drink, another person can give you a shot of glucagon. This will bring your blood sugar level back to normal.
Teach your friends, work colleagues and family members how to treat hypoglycemia, because sometimes you may need their help. Also, keep a supply of glucagon on hand. Glucagon comes in a kit with a powder and a liquid that must be mixed together and then injected (given as a shot). It will raise your blood sugar level. If you are unconscious, or you can't eat or drink, another person can give you a shot of glucagon. This will bring your blood sugar level back to normal.
How else can I prevent complications with my diabetes?
The following tips can help you stay healthy if you have type 1 diabetes:
- Keep your blood pressure at a healthy level (below 130/80 mm Hg).
- Maintain a healthy cholesterol level (under 200 mg).
- Take care of your feet and check them every day for signs of injury and infection.
- Have an eye exam every year to check your vision.
- See your dentist twice a year to check your teeth and gums.
- Stay up-to-date on your immunizations. Get a flu shot each year and a tetanus booster every 10 years.
- Don't smoke.
- Manage your stress.
Can I live a normal life with diabetes?
Yes, you can live a normal life. You can stay healthy if you do what it takes to control your diabetes.
More Information
Source
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
Educational Guidelines for Achieving Tight Control and Minimizing Complications of Type 1 Diabetes by Stephen Havas, M.D., M.P.H., M.S (American Family Physician November 1, 1999, http://www.aafp.org/afp/991101ap/1985.html)
Reviewed/Updated: 05/09
Created: 09/00