Don’t Ignore The Signs Of Type 1 Diabetes!

By Author: Reeta Menon
Total Articles: 20
Comment this article

Diabetes is a serious health complication that requires lifelong management. Millions of people across the globe are diagnosed with diabetes. Healthy lifestyle alongside medications is the key to keep diabetes under control. But what is diabetes? How does it occur?

Regulating blood glucose or sugar levels in our body is crucial. Insulin helps to keep these blood sugar levels stable, but when there is a lack of insulin it opens the door to diabetes. There are three types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. What is type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is a condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the beta cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. Each type can be diagnosed via different tests because the type 1 diabetes symptoms are usually similar to type 2 diabetes symptoms. Diagnostic test for type 1 diabetes include:

Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test
During this test, your average blood sugar levels of the past 60 to 90 days are registered. It measures the percentage ...
... of blood sugar in the hemoglobin. The A1C test can be inaccurate if you have certain conditions such as pregnancy or an uncommon form of hemoglobin. At times, A1C test can come out inaccurate and your doctor may suggest other tests.

Random blood sugar test
This is a normal blood sugar test. Regardless of your last meal, a normal person's blood sugar level shouldn't be above 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L). If it is, there are chances you may have diabetes.

Fasting blood sugar test
This test requires you to keep an overnight fast. It measures your fasting blood sugar levels. Fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL is considered normal. And if it's anywhere near or higher than 126 mg/dL there’s a chance you may have diabetes.

If you're diagnosed with diabetes, other tests can be done to check for autoantibodies. This is pretty common in type 1 diabetes. Further testing can be suggested if the results are uncertain as it assists your doctor in differentiating between the type of diabetes. Diabetes can be managed with a number of different medications. While some can be consumed orally, others can be taken in the form of injections.

Type 1 diabetes treatment and prevention
Managing type 1 diabetes can be tough but with regular check-ups and sticking to management plan helps a lot. Injection of insulin is often suggested by the doctors if your body is not producing enough.

There are four types of insulin that are commonly used. These include:
• Rapid-acting insulin
• Short-acting insulin
• Intermediate-acting insulin
• Long-acting insulin

Diabetes medications play a very crucial role in the management of the disease, but you also need to make certain lifestyle changes to keep it under control. Dietary changes and simple fitness routines can be the first steps towards efficient diabetes management. We've also put together a few things that can help you manage your diabetes better to lead a flexible lifestyle.

• Adhere to weekly workout routines which include aerobic exercises, such as walking or cycling.
• Watch the consumption of all saturated and trans fats, along with refined carbohydrates in your diet.
• Go natural- eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Skip your traditional ways of consuming 2-3 big meals. Rather, consume 5-6 small meals at adequate intervals throughout the day.

Diabetes is not a trivial condition and proper care helps in managing it better. Consult your doctor if you experience any type 1 diabetes symptoms. Workout a favorable plan and stick to it for better diabetes management.