How to Live With Type 1 Diabetes
Biology of Type 1 Diabetes
In a normal functioning body after you eat food glucose is brought into your bloodstream which triggers the pancreas to release a hormone called insulin into the blood. This insulin then attaches to insulin receptors on cells signaling for the cell to use glucose transport proteins to take in the insulin out of the blood. In a body with type 1 diabetes the when the glucose is released into the blood there is no insulin because the pancreas stops producing insulin. This causes the glucose to stay in the blood and raise your blood glucose levels because there is no way for the glucose to enter cells without the insulin.
A Healthy Diabetic Diet
There are many different components to a healthy diet for anyone, but there are a few things different about a diabetic diet. There aren't too many foods you can't eat if you are diabetic, but there are a few foods you want to limit in your diet. Those foods would be foods like whole grains, vegetables, and foods that are high in proteins but low in fat such as lean meat. There are also several foods you should try to limit like soda, potato chips, and most other empty calorie foods that break down into sugar quickly.
Proper Blood Sugar Monitoring
When you have type 1 diabetes you are told by your doctor to check your blood sugar often. They usually recommend 4-8 times per day, or they recommend checking before specific events throughout the day such as before eating, exercising, and sleeping. You should adjust how often you monitor if your ill or if you are starting to take a new insulin or new medicine. This monitoring is a very important part of your treatment plan and important to prevent long term complications, and should be done as often as you are recommended.
Recommended Exercise to Stay Healthy with Type 1 Diabetes
A healthy amount of exercise is necessary for everyone to stay healthy, but it becomes even more important to get a healthy amount when you have type 1 diabetes. There are many ways that you can get the exercise that you need, but the best way is to find the form of exercise you enjoy the most. Some example of healthy exercise would be going for a jog every day or riding your bike for a while each day. Whatever exercise you decide on you need to do it on a regular basis to stay healthy.
Nutritionist
If you are having trouble with creating your own healthy dietary plan than speaking with a nutritionist would be very helpful to you. They can work with you to create a plan to keep you on a healthy track to prevent any long term complications. They can also better explain the importance of a healthy diet to you, and why you should follow the plan they help you make.
Certified Diabetic Educator
It also may be beneficial for you to talk to a certified diabetes educator about your diabetes. They are very knowledgeable about type one diabetes and are certified to educate others about it.They will certainly be able to help you and the rest of your family learn more about your condition and about living with type 1 diabetes.
Psychologist
You can also speak with a psychologist who would be able to help you transition into learning you have diabetes. They would be able to help you with any emotional stress you may have now because of finding out you have type 1 diabetes. Talking about your problems with a professional will help make your transition into your new lifestyle easier.