Type 1 diabetes is often thought of as a disease that occurs only at a young age. It was also known as juvenile diabetes, and most people were diagnosed as children or adolescents. However, about 1 in 4 people with type 1 diabetes are not diagnosed until they are adults, and some are even 80 or 90 years old at the time of diagnosis. There is no cure for diabetes, but there are efforts that can be made to make it more manageable.
Connecting with a health care team
Everyone with diabetes needs to create a personal plan and make sure it is put into action, but it doesn’t have to be self-directed. A person with diabetes needs a health care team to help him live better. The team may include a general internist, an endocrinologist, a dietitian, and a diabetes educator. Other specialists may be needed, such as a podiatrist (a doctor who specializes in treating foot and lower leg disorders) or an ophthalmologist (a doctor who specializes in treating eye disorders).
Consult your healthcare team regularly to keep them informed of your condition.
Catch possible problems in time
High blood sugar can affect organs and tissues throughout the body. Even with well-controlled diabetes, problems can still occur slowly over time. Get regular checkups and watch for warnings such as tingling, numbness or swelling in the hands and feet, blurred or double vision, or ulcers that don’t heal. If these problems are caught and treated early, the damage can be slowed or even stopped.
Maintain a regular, healthy diet
In addition to eating three regular meals a day, you may need to eat small amounts of food several times a day. Talk to your dietitian about how to eat to keep your blood sugar stable. The diet may include healthy fats (nuts) and proteins (lean meats, fish, beans), whole grains (brown rice, oatmeal), colorful vegetables (spinach, peppers, broccoli, sweet potatoes), and low-calorie beverages (such as unsweetened iced tea or drinks flavored with fresh fruit).
Exercise regularly and watch for changes in blood sugar
Regular exercise can help lose weight, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, and can help protect the eyes and kidneys. It’s important to pay close attention to blood glucose levels before, during, and after exercise because exercise can raise or lower blood glucose levels and even trigger hypoglycemia. Learn how exercise can affect blood sugar levels, your diet, or the medications you take.
Quit smoking; nicotine can affect blood sugar
Smoking can make it harder for people with diabetes to manage their condition, making them more likely to have problems such as nerve damage or blindness. This is because tobacco can raise average blood sugar, and studies have shown that nicotine is responsible for the increase in blood sugar. Also, you should stay away from nicotine replacement products.
Vaccinations to prevent other health problems
Diabetes can affect the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections or avoid other serious health problems. Some infections, such as the flu, can also raise blood sugar. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people with type 1 diabetes stay up to date on their vaccine status, which includes annual vaccinations for influenza, hepatitis B, pneumococcal (to protect against pneumonia), shingles (to protect against shingles), and pertussis (to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough).
Implement all types of blood glucose control measures consistently
Concern about diet, blood glucose testing, and long-term insulin injections can be tiresome, especially when you need to do this every day for years and years. Bad conditions are sure to happen, but they can be improved by changing the location of insulin injections or adjusting recipes for favorite dishes. Remember, perfect control is impossible, and don’t let a bad day come and go off track because of it.
Communicate with other people with diabetes
Sometimes it helps to talk to people who are going through the same thing. Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator about joining a support group and attending a meeting or workshop to talk to other people with type 1 diabetes. In some cases, it is also a good idea to seek professional support, especially if you have symptoms of depression such as: loss of interest in things you used to like, feeling hopeless, and getting tired easily.