Shannon Knapp, manager of diabetes education at the Cleveland Clinic, said that staying healthy with type 1 diabetes requires adhering to science-based habits.
Knapp, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 13, has the following advice for us.
Exercise more, but be patient
Physical activity can lower blood pressure and cholesterol and prevent weight gain, so exercise is key to getting overall health.
But Napp recommends that people with type 1 diabetes be patient in trying to exercise. “Because they need to use insulin, there’s always the possibility of hypoglycemia with type 1 diabetes,” she said. “Most people will need to make medication adjustments any time they change their exercise level, intensity or duration, and it may take some trial and error to figure out the best adjustment strategy.”
Join a support group for people with type 1 diabetes
People with type 1 diabetes make up only 5% to 10% of the diabetes population, and patients may feel alone because of this. Napp recommends joining a support group or finding other ways to connect with people who have the same disease.
At the Cleveland Clinic, she often facilitates “shared appointments,” where people with type 1 diabetes can attend checkups together and share support and ideas. This camaraderie helps them stay positive and maintain healthy habits.
Go to a diabetes educator (CDE) for a consultation at least once a year
“Technology, treatments, and medications change over time,” says Napp. A diabetes educator can update the patient’s knowledge, answer any questions, and review current treatment options.
May want to ask the CDE the following questions.
- Should I try any special exercises?
- What should I do if I have difficulty maintaining blood glucose balance after exercise?
- What should I do if I have trouble maintaining my blood sugar balance after exercise?
- Can you recommend a support group near you for people with type 1 diabetes?
- Can you recommend a support group near you for people with type 1 diabetes?
- What apps and websites do you think are appropriate for people like me?
- At what target range do you recommend I maintain my blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)?
Trying to manage disease with an app or website
Consider using websites and apps to manage the disease. Nap will check the Diabetes Daily page on Facebook for news about new drugs and other advances. To track carbohydrate intake, she suggests CalorieKing and MyFitnessPal, two apps.
Aims to educate
Most people with type 1 diabetes may encounter so-called “experts” who share advice about disease management that is no longer valid, often based on information that is outdated.
“The most important thing you can do is to educate the people around you,” said Napp.
Get rid of the word “bad. Many people with type 1 diabetes are diagnosed as children, which makes them more sensitive to the idea that their blood sugar levels are not good.
“As a child, you might interpret high blood sugar as ‘I ate something I shouldn’t have eaten,’ and I’m bad,” explained Napp. “They can feel like a loser, and that mindset can carry over into adult life.”
Ditch the good and bad labels
“Your blood sugar is either within the target range or it’s outside of that range,” she said. “Being out of target is just a sign that you need to make some changes once you understand why.”