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Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

10-15% of people living with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition where your glucose levels, in the blood, are too high. Our body needs glucose for energy, a bit like Goldilocks we want just the right amount. Not too much and not too little. Glucose comes from the carbohydrate foods that we eat and insulin helps the glucose to be used or stored.

Insulin is made by the beta cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the bodies auto immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas – so your body is no longer able to make insulin. Insulin injections are required to maintain health and help the body use or store the glucose.

Type 1 diabetes does occur in children, but it can occur at any age. At the moment type 1 diabetes can not be cured, it needs to be managed so that you can lead a healthy life.

type 1 diabetes

10-15% of people living with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition where your glucose levels, in the blood, are too high. Our body needs glucose for energy, a bit like Goldilocks we want just the right amount. Not too much and not too little. Glucose comes from the carbohydrate foods that we eat and insulin helps the glucose to be used or stored.

Insulin is made by the beta cells in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the bodies auto immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas – so your body is no longer able to make insulin. Insulin injections are required to maintain health and help the body use or store the glucose.

Type 1 diabetes does occur in children, but it can occur at any age. At the moment type 1 diabetes can not be cured, it needs to be managed so that you can lead a healthy life.

type 1 diabetes

What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?

The most common symptoms of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes are:

  • Increased thirst
  • Drinking more than usual
  • Going to the toilet frequently (for a wee)
  • Weight loss – when you are not trying to lose weight
  • Tired and no energy
  • Wounds that don’t heal
  • Thrush
  • Mood changes

These symptoms may develop quickly and if not treated may become a medical emergency (Diabetic Ketoacidosis DKA).

Aim of treatment

To keep BGLs in target range and help prevent / detect early the complications of diabetes.

What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?

The most common symptoms of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes are:

  • Increased thirst
  • Drinking more than usual
  • Going to the toilet frequently (for a wee)
  • Weight loss – when you are not trying to lose weight
  • Tired and no energy
  • Wounds that don’t heal
  • Thrush
  • Mood changes

These symptoms may develop quickly and if not treated may become a medical emergency (Diabetic Ketoacidosis DKA).

Aim of treatment

To keep BGLs in target range and help prevent / detect early the complications of diabetes.

Management of type 1 diabetes includes:

  • Understanding your diabetes
  • Monitoring your Blood Glucose Levels (BGLs)
  • Giving Insulin – via injection or an insulin pump
  • Screening for early detection, prevention, and treatment of the complications of diabetes
  • Regular review with your Health Care team
type 1 diabetes

Maggie will:

  • Help you to understand your diagnosis.
  • Provide a blood glucose monitor and complete NDSS forms
    • Discuss how to check your blood glucose levels (BGLs)
    • When to check BGL
    • Target BGLs
    • How to manage high glucose levels (Hyperglycaemia)
    • How to manage low glucose levels (Hypoglycaemia)
  • Discuss CGMS and Flash Glucose Monitoring
  • Teach you about your insulin:
    • Action and profile of your insulin
    • When to inject
    • Injection technique
    • Storage
  • Help you to understand your diagnosis.
  • Provide a blood glucose monitor and complete NDSS forms
    • Discuss how to check your blood glucose levels (BGLs)
    • When to check BGL
    • Target BGLs
    • How to manage high glucose levels (Hyperglycaemia)
    • How to manage low glucose levels (Hypoglycaemia)
  • Discuss CGMS and Flash Glucose Monitoring
  • Teach you about your insulin:
    • Action and profile of your insulin
    • When to inject
    • Injection technique
    • Storage
  • If you want to – In collaboration with dietitian discuss carbohydrate counting and then have some ratios known as:
    • ICR – insulin to carb ratio (how to work out how much insulin you need to cover carbohydrates that you eat)
    • ISF – insulin sensitivity factor (how to work out how much insulin you need to bring your BGL down to your target BGL)
  • Discuss complications of diabetes and the screening required
Contact Maggie today