So you have just been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. What does that mean? Type 1 Diabetes is often known as "Juvenile Onset Diabetes Mellitus" or "Early Onset Diabetes". There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. While Type 1 is often thought of as a childhood form, it is possible for adults to fall ill with this disease. Unlike Type 2 Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes can not be controlled with diet. Diabetic education helps us to understand that Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease. Because of increased protein antibodies in the pancreas, it is unable to produce the needed insulin to break down glucose in the blood stream.
Once you have taken the blood sugar testing and diabetes is confirmed, you can expect the diabetic healthcare provider to give you informational pamphlets on both diabetes insulin therapy and preventing additional health concerns. In many cases they will also provide you with additional resources to increase your diabetic education. Understanding the disease will be vital for controlling it and limiting the problems you may encounter.
Part of your education will most likely include a personalized meeting with a nutritionist who will help you learn how to avoid foods that will have a negative impact on your sugar levels. Eating a diet that is high in protein but low in sugar, sweeteners, and carbohydrates will help your body use the insulin properly. However, with Type 1 Diabetes insulin is standard treatment.
Another important aspect of diabetes education is being aware of your sugar levels. This means that you will need to do home blood sugar testing. This is normally done by checking glucose levels both before and after meals and once before retiring to bed. This is done by using a lancing device, or small cutting tool to prick the finger and then to apply it to a glucose meter. Blood glucose levels should be near 70 to 120 mg/dl before meals and anywhere below 140 mg/dl two hours after each meal. Keeping blood sugar levels steady is the goal of every diabetic. Fluctuations can lead to other serious health complications.
Insulin shots help diabetics to regulate their blood sugar levels. You may be a candidate for an insulin pump. The pump has a small butterfly needle inserted under the skin. It helps to monitor insulin levels and supply a more regular dosage of the drug. There is a new product that has a sensor placed under the skin of the belly or arm of a diabetic person. It sends a signal automatically to a small electronic device, like a pager, and will give glucose levels. It also has a feature that allows the user to see the trends of his/her insulin levels. This is helpful in diabetic education because if you can identify trends, it may help you to identify the foods that affect your glucose levels.
While receiving a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes may seem overwhelming at first, know that you are not alone. If you have questions, do not hesitate to talk to your diabetic healthcare professional. They will guide you in understanding your disease while teaching you how to manage, endure, and overcome the struggles associated with Type 1 Diabetes.
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