Type 1 diabetes is a chronic medical condition in which the pancreas does not produce insulin, or not enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body to process sugar (glucose) for energy, and to metabolize carbohydrates.
Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, but it most often begins in childhood. It used to be referred to as juvenile diabetes and insulin-dependent diabetes.
There is no cure for type 1 diabetes, but it can be managed through a combination of insulin therapy, lifestyle changes, and regular medical checkups. Let’s talk about how type 1 diabetes treatment works, and where you can go in Kennesaw to see a family doctor who can show you how you can control your diabetes without it controlling you.
What Is Involved in Treating Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes treatment is focused on maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, and living as healthy of a lifestyle as possible:
Blood Sugar Monitoring
Checking your blood sugar levels regularly (typically multiple times per day) can help ensure that your insulin doses are properly adjusted. This helps people with type 1 diabetes avoid both high and low blood sugar episodes.
There are a few different ways to check your blood sugar. One way is to use a glucose meter, which is a small device that measures the amount of sugar in your blood. Another way is to prick your finger and then put a drop of blood on a special strip that will measure the sugar level in your blood.
Insulin Therapy
This is the cornerstone of type 1 diabetes treatment. It involves taking insulin injections or using an insulin pump to help regulate your blood sugar levels and give you energy every day.
Insulin therapy is ongoing with type 1 diabetes. Talk to your doctor about the type of insulin that is best for you in various situations, as there are short-acting, rapid-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin types.
Healthy Eating
Eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and lean protein can help you control your blood sugar levels and promote overall health. People with type 1 diabetes should work closely with a medical specialist to create an individualized meal plan, complete with healthy snacks and foods you enjoy.
Carbohydrates, fat, and protein are all nutrients that can affect your blood sugar levels. When evaluating your intake of carbs, fat, and protein, it is important to consider how each one will affect your blood sugar. With type 1 diabetes, it is especially important to count carbs, because they have the biggest impact on blood sugar levels.
Exercise
Regular physical activity can help improve blood sugar control by increasing insulin sensitivity and promoting weight loss – weight control is important if you have type 1 diabetes. It is key to check your blood sugar before and after exercise, however, as strenuous activity can sometimes cause low blood sugar levels, known as “insulin reaction.”
Talk to your doctor about what types of exercise are safe for you, and how often you should do them.
Concierge Medicine for Type 1 Diabetes Treatment in Kennesaw, GA
