A Day in the Life
Living with Type 1 Diabetes
Sarah Roebbeke
Recently Diagnosed with Type 1?
“I would have to check my blood glucose at least five times a day and stick myself with needles at least four times a day.” ~Anthony
What should I expect now that I've been diagnosed?
- Pricking your finger multiple times a day to check blood glucose levels
- Regular doctors appointments to monitor blood glucose and insulin levels
- Cutting down on sugars of any kind
How does exercise and staying fit affect my diabetes?
But for diabetics, exercise and staying fit must be taken more seriously than a person who does not have diabetes. Exercise can help to avoid long-term complications in your health. Arteries can become clogged with extra build up of glucose in your blood, causing many heart issues. So, consult your doctor before beginning to exercise more regularly if you don't already now.
I am a family member of someone who has recently been diagnosed, what should I expect?
Blood Sugar Monitoring and Adjustment
Self-monitoring of blood glucose sometimes referred to as "SMBG" is an important component of modern therapy for diabetes mellitus. SMBG has been recommended to people with diabetes in order to achieve a specific level of glycemic control (glucose level control) and to prevent hypoglycemia (deficiency of glucose in the bloodstream). The goal of SMBG is to collect detailed information about blood glucose levels at many points throughout the day to enable a maintenance of a more constant glucose level by more precise regimens. It can be used to aid in the adjustment of response to blood glucose amounts and to help individuals adjust their dietary intake, physical activity, and insulin doses to improve glycemic control on a day-to-day basis. (American Diabetes Association)
Helpful Diabetes Resources
Who can I look to for Diabetic help?
Helpful Professionals:
Nutritionist or dietician
A nutritionist or dietician can help a diabetic patient to understand the new restrictions in diet and find new dietary options to fit their medical needs.
Psychologist or Psychiatrist
Psychologist and/or psychiatrists can be very helpful to both the patient and the patient's family in assisting in emotional support throughout the tough process of coping with this disease. Many support groups are hosted by psychologists or psychiatrists, and these groups can be helpful to both patients and family members.
Clinical researcher
A clinical researcher is helpful to the patient through providing straight facts of research of the disease to the patient. Having the facts sometimes can help the patient and family to better understand the disease.
Certified diabetic educator (CDE)
CDEs host many classes to learn more about diabetes and options for patients and family members experiencing this process.
Primary care physician
Your primary care physician might have been the first one to have noticed your high blood glucose and low blood insulin levels. Primary care physicians are where you will attend your check-ups often from now on as a diabetic patient. These appointments are mandatory to check that nothing has changed in your health and that your original treatment plan is still working correctly.
Diabetes Class
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2016, 08:45 AM
Liberty Hospital, Glenn Hendren Drive, Liberty, MO, United States
References
7-Day diabetes meal plan. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2015, from Eating Well website: http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/weight_loss_diet_plans/diet_meal_plans/7_day_diabetes_meal_plan
Adragna, A. (2012, June 12). Pricks and needles: What living with type 1 diabetes is like. Retrieved November 30, 2015, from The Atlantic website: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/06/pricks-and-needles-what-living-with-type-1-diabetes-is-like/258399/
Benjamin, E. M. (n.d.). Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose: The Basics. Retrieved December 1, 2015, from American Diabetes Association website: http://clinical.diabetesjournals.org/content/20/1/45.full
Diabetes. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2015, from Health Central website: http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/?ic=2300
Patient education handouts. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2015, from Diabetes Care and Education website: http://www.dce.org/publications/education-handouts/
Roszler, J. (Ed.). (2015, May 13). About type 1 diabetes. Retrieved December 1, 2015, from dlife website: http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/type-1/about
Smith-Marsh, D. E. (n.d.). Type 1 diabetes and exercise (L. M. Leontis, Ed.). Retrieved December 1, 2015, from endocrineweb website: http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/type-1-diabetes/type-1-diabetes-exercise
Treating type 1 diabetes. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2015, from Kids Health website: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/endocrine/treating_type1.html