A Day in the Life of a Diabetic
By: Reagan Miller, Kammi Etter, and Carson Spinale
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
All About Type 1 Diabetes
Healthy Food Choices for You
Monitoring Your Blood Sugar
Your primary care physician will also give you a prescription of insulin to keep these levels stable. There are a 4 different types of insulin (rapid-acting, regular or short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting); your physician may tell you that you only need to take one kind or a combination of them. There are multiple different ways you can get this insulin into your body. The first, and most common, is through a shot, this can already have the insulin in it or may require you to put it in. The second method is called an insulin pump. If you choose this device, you do not have to do as much work; it connects to a needle that is in your skin. The device pumps insulin into your body on a scheduled time. This method is preferred among many people, but the needle must be taken out and put in a different area (the needle isn't that big, no need to worry)- the best spot is in your abdomen (when moving the needle, it is suggested that you keep the same general are but in a different spot)- every 3 days or so. Also it can be easily tangled so it is important to be careful while using this method. There are many more ways to get your insulin though these are the most common.
If you are using a method in which you have to put the insulin in yourself (for example, needle and syringe) it is best to do this at the same time each day. Also, you should do this before you eat a meal or snack, before and after exercise, after you wake up, and before you go to bed. You may need to do this more often if you are sick or traveling.
Ask your certified diabetic educator to help you find the best method and times for you.
Go outside!
References
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Dowshen, S. (2015, October 01). Sports, Exercise, and Diabetes. Retrieved November 12, 2015, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/diabetes_center/living_diabetes/sports_diabetes.html?tracking=P_RelatedArticle
8 Ways to Take Insulin. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20433022_7,00.html
8 Ways to Take Insulin. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20433022_7,00.html
NutritionED.org. (2015). Registered Dietitian Career Overview. Retrieved November 12, 2015, from http://www.nutritioned.org/registered-dietitian.html
PayScale. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Certified_Diabetes_Educator_(CDE)/Salary
Vertical Health. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2015, from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/checking-your-blood-glucose.htm