Type 1 diabetes
Around 10% of all people with diabetes
have type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune
reaction where the body’s defense system attacks the cells that produce
insulin. As a result, the body produces very little or no insulin. The exact
causes of this are not yet known, but are linked to a combination of genetic
and environmental conditions.
Type 1 diabetes can affect people at any
age, but usually develops
in children or young adults. People with type 1 diabetes need daily injections of insulin
to control their blood glucose levels. If people with type 1 diabetes do not
have access to insulin, they will die.
The risk factors for type 1 diabetes are still
being researched. However, having a family member with type 1 diabetes slightly
increases the risk of developing the disease. Environmental factors and
exposure to some viral infections have also been linked to the risk of
developing type 1 diabetes.
At present, type 1 diabetes cannot be
prevented. The environmental triggers that are thought to generate the process
that results in the destruction of the body’s insulin-producing cells are still
under investigation.
Symptoms of type 1
diabetes
The most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes
include:
·
Abnormal thirst and
dry mouth
·
Sudden weight loss
·
Frequent urination
·
Lack of energy,
tiredness
·
Constant hunger
·
Blurred vision
· Bed-wetting
Diagnosing type 1 diabetes can be difficult so
additional tests may be required to confirm a diagnosis.
People with type 1 diabetes require daily
insulin treatment, regular blood glucose monitoring and a healthy lifestyle to
manage their condition effectively.
Insulin
All people with type 1 diabetes need to take
insulin to control their blood glucose levels. There are different types of
insulin depending on how quickly they work, when they peak, and how long they
last. Insulin is commonly delivered with a syringe, insulin pen or insulin
pump.
Types of insulin include:
·
Rapid-acting:
usually taken just before or with a meal. These insulins act very quickly to
limit the rise in blood sugar, which follows eating. It is essential to avoid over-dosage to minimize the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Rapid-acting
insulins include Asparat, Glulisine, Lispro.
·
Short-acting:
usually taken before meals. These insulins are also called regular or neutral
insulins. They do not act as quickly as rapid-acting insulins and therefore may
be more appropriate in certain people. Short-acting insulins include Actrapid,
Humulin R, Insuman Rapid.
·
Intermediate-acting: often taken together with a short-acting insulin.
Intermediate-acting insulins start to act within the first hour of injecting,
followed by a period of peak activity lasting up to 7 hours. Intermediate
acting insulins include Humulin NPH, Protaphane, Insulatard.
·
Long-acting:
insulins that are steadily released and can last in the body for up to 24
hours. They are commonly taken in the morning or in the evening, before going
to bed. Long-acting insulins include Detemir, Glargine.
Two common insulin treatment plans include:
·
Twice-daily insulin: using both short-acting and intermediate-acting insulin.
·
Basal bolus regimen: short-acting insulin taken with main meals (usually three
times a day) and intermediate-acting insulin given once or twice daily (evening
or morning and evening).
Self-monitoring
People with diabetes who require insulin need
to check their blood glucose levels regularly to inform insulin dosage. Self-monitoring of
blood glucose (SBMG) is the name
given to the process of blood glucose testing by people with diabetes at home,
school, work or elsewhere. SMBG helps people with diabetes and their healthcare
providers understand how their blood glucose levels vary during the day so that
their treatment can be adjusted accordingly.
People with type 1 diabetes are usually
advised to measure their blood glucose level at least four times a day.
Healthy nutrition
Healthy nutrition — knowing what and when to
eat — is an important part of diabetes management as different foods affect
your blood glucose levels differently.
A healthy diet for all people with diabetes
includes reducing the amount of calories if you are overweight, replacing saturated fats (eg. cream, cheese, butter) with unsaturated fats (eg. avocado, nuts, olive and vegetable
oils), eating dietary fibre (eg. fruit, vegetables, whole grains), and avoiding tobacco use, excessive alcohol and added sugar.
Physical activity
Regular physical activity is essential to help
keep blood glucose levels under control. It is most effective when it includes
a combination of both aerobic (eg.
jogging, swimming, cycling) exercise and resistance training, as well as reducing the amount of time spent
being inactive.
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