Type 1 Diabetes – The Effects And Maintenance

Type 1 diabetes is developed because the body becomes insulin dependent. It is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas produces insufficient insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. As with type 2 diabetes, type 1 is also a metabolic disorder. Without insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream which leads to increased hunger, frequent urination and excessive thirst.

Effects of Type 1 Diabetes

* Excessive thirst
* Increased urination
* Weight loss despite increase in appetite
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Abdominal pain
* Tiredness
* Absence of menstruation

Tests conducted to determine of the patient is diabetic;

* Urinalysis it shows glucose and ketone bodies, blood test is required to confirmed the diagnosis
* Fasting blood glucose is 126 mg/dL
* Random blood glucose (non-fasting) exceeds 200 mg/dL
* Insulin test
* C-peptide test

Since type 1 diabetes has no known cure yet, the objective of treatment is to prevent diabetes-related illness like blindness, kidney failure and amputation of limbs. The goal of the treatment can be accomplished through educating diagnosed patients with meal planning, weight control, exercise, foot care, insulin use and self-testing of blood glucose level.

Insulin – injected into the body to deliver insulin to the cells. It is used to lower blood sugar by leaving the blood stream and penetrating into the cells. Must be taken everyday.

Diet – requires consistency to allow food and insulin to work together to regulate blood glucose level. It is best to seek proper advice by a certified dietitian for the specific foods to eat and the amount of “dietary control for diabetics.”

Exercise – regular exercise is very important to the type 1 diabetes patient because it helps to control the amount of sugar in the blood. It also helps burn excess calories and fats to achieve their required weight.

Self-testing – monitoring of blood glucose by checking glucose content from a small amount of blood. Must be done on a regular basis. The results will help the patient and doctor to decide the proper medication, adjust in calorie count diet, and exercise to work together for better control.

Foot care – necessary as most patients are prone to foot problems due to complication related-illness. Diabetes causes damage of blood vessels and nerves which result in a decreasing ability to sense trauma or pressure on the foot. A small infection can rapidly progress because diabetes alters the bodies immune system resulting in decreasing the body’s ability to fight infection. Possible amputation of the affected limb may occur.