Type One Diabetes
Type one diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes, and usually occurs in people under the age of 30. Normally, the pancreas produces insulin which is used by the cells to metabolize sugar into energy. With diabetes this doesn’t happen. In Type one diabetes, the body’s immune system which normally fights infections and diseases attacks the pancreas stopping insulin production. The actual cause is unknown but this form of diabetes usually requires insulin injections for life, along with a healthy diet and lots of exercise.
Good management of blood glucose levels is the key to treating type one diabetes. Blood sugar levels should be taken four times a day to ascertain that they are in the normal range. Strict control of blood sugar levels can lower a person’s risk of heart attacks and strokes by up to fifty-percent. Diabetics must give themselves single or double-dose injections of insulin or use a tiny pump which can be inserted under the skin to deliver appropriate doses.
If you have type one diabetes, there are several factors that affect your blood sugar level. For instance, what you eat and how much you eat are two things that need to be controlled. Blood sugar will rise after meals and accurate readings cannot be taken until a couple hours have elapsed. Most people visit a nutritionist after being diagnosed with type one diabetes--they can be very helpful in setting up meal plans that assure you are getting the right foods at the right time.
The amount of sugar in your blood is also determined by the amount of physical activity you have each day. Physical exercise is good for lowering and controlling blood sugar levels, but people who whose work or daily activities involve considerable movement need to check their blood sugar levels more often and have to be concerned about levels being too low. Athletes, especially those who choose to do endurance-type events such as marathons, have to be very careful about exactly how much they eat and when.
When blood sugar levels are depleted the cells become starved for food and begin to break down muscle to feed themselves. A diet high in carbohydrates is not recommended for those with type one diabetes but if you have this any type of high physical exertion you may need to increase carbohydrates. Typically, regular exercise of around thirty minutes a day is suggested for optimal health.
People with Type one diabetes have to control everything that causes blood sugar levels to rise. That includes alcohol and stress, and making sure the right amount of medications are taken. For women, hormones can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels particularly during menstrual cycles. Pregnancy has a huge effect on amounts of insulin in the body and should you have type one diabetes and become pregnant, your doctor will monitor you very closely to make sure everything is fine with you and the baby.
Contrary to popular belief, a diagnosis of type 1 or 2 diabetes does not mean that you can never eat sweets again. It does mean carefully looking at your diet and planning what you will eat and when you will eat it. As with most healthy diets, lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains are recommended.
Anyone who is diagnosed with type one diabetes needs to have regular doctor checkups and seek medical and nutritional advice. Following the guidelines for eating, exercise and medication will allow you to live a long, healthy life.