What's involved in the care of type I diabetes?

The purpose of managing type 1 diabetes is to maintain blood sugar levels under control and to keep them low. In managing this condition, the use of insulin is important. Often, however other medicines are often required. There are occasions where diabetics are recommended by care providers to embark through a fitness regimen and a special diet to help them control their diabetes.

With insulin-producing pancreatic cells destroyed by the immune system, the body of a person suffering from type 1 diabetes does not generate any insulin. Insulin cannot fulfill its two roles, which are the control of fat metabolism and the carbohydrates of the body, without an adequate quantity. This results in nutrition not hitting the cells of the body from the calories in eaten food. Of course, because people with type 1 diabetes will no longer generate the hormone insulin in their bodies, it must be an integral part of their care.

The main forms of insulin used in managing type 1 diabetes include intermediate, long-acting and rapid-acting insulin. Often a doctor can recommend that they be combined into the procedure. You may opt to administer the insulin with an injection or through a pump through the bloodstream. An insulin pump is a device that is worn externally and connected to a narrow tubing implanted under the skin. With the pump in place, the diabetic schedules it to automatically send out the amount of insulin required with the amount of carbohydrates ingested. For injections, insulin pens, syringes and needles are needed.

In their recovery, certain form 1 diabetics also use other drugs. Pramlintide, which may be injected during a meal to slow the flow of food in the stomach such that there can be no unexpected rise of bloodstream sugar, is one of these drugs. Blood pressure drugs often take care of the protection of the kidneys; just since the kidneys tend to bring on more work to get rid of elevated blood glucose, this is beneficial for diabetics. Cholesterol suppression drugs are not as helpful to diabetics as their risks of developing heart failure are greater.

In fact, healthy diets are usually part of the management of diabetes. Blood sugar levels can be stabilized by a shift in the volume and form of carbohydrates eaten. This is vital since it is an integral aspect of diabetes care to regulate blood sugar levels. To accomplish this, without the use of unnecessary fat, especially saturated fat, the diabetic diet should be able to provide adequate energy. Enough nutrients and protein should be given by the diet.

The basic component of the treatment of type 1 diabetes is exercise, as it helps to control blood sugar levels within the acceptable range and avoid any unwanted rise in weight. In diabetes therapy, this preservation of a healthy weight is important since too much fat will contribute to the cells’ insulin resistance. Exercise, on the other side, allows the cells more insulin-sensitive. The production of insulin increases in the process. However before beginning any new workout program, diabetics must be warned to check their blood glucose levels, as blood sugar levels can fall too low during exercise.