The comprehensive treatment of type 1 diabetes includes the following five aspects: (1) Nutritional management: Nutritional management is the core of diabetes treatment and education. Pediatric nutrition specialists with professional experience in diabetes are recommended to develop nutritional programs and provide educational guidance.
(2) Insulin therapy: Patients with type 1 diabetes must be treated with insulin for life, using an individualized treatment plan to achieve blood glucose targets and reduce the occurrence of complications.
(3) Blood glucose monitoring: Self-monitoring of blood glucose is the basis of good blood glucose control. Blood glucose should be monitored 4-7 times a day, including before three meals, 2 hours after meals, before bedtime and at 3:00 am. There should be one full day of blood glucose monitoring per week, which we call “blood glucose spectrum”. During the period of stable blood glucose, the frequency of monitoring can be reduced appropriately. During the period of medication adjustment, the number of blood glucose monitoring is increased.
(4) Exercise therapy: Exercise can improve the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin and lower blood glucose and blood lipids. Pay attention to monitoring blood glucose before and after exercise to avoid the occurrence of hypoglycemia.
(5) Diabetes education: Diabetes education is the key to diabetes treatment and management and should be provided throughout life. It can be done in various forms such as lectures, diabetes summer camps, diabetes fellowship, etc., so that patients can receive diabetes knowledge, learn how to control diet, how to exercise, how to cope with hypoglycemic reactions, how to prevent chronic complications, etc., and help them build up confidence to overcome the disease.