A guide to type 1 diabetes self management.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. When the body can no longer regulate blood sugar levels, daily injections of insulin are required to sustain life. While the cause of type 1 diabetes is not known, it is generally believed that environment and genetics play a key role.

Millions of people suffer from the disease and they are all susceptible to the complications that come with it. Cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, vision problems, nerve damage, foot and skin problems and depression are a few of the major complications associated with it. Because of the seriousness of these complications a diabetes self management program is mandatory for people who are give a type 1 diagnosis.

Type 1 diabetes symptoms may include: excessive thirst, frequent urination, high blood sugar levels in the urine and blood, extreme hunger, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, nausea and irritability.

Educational programs are available to help those with the disease in developing their diabetes self management skills. These programs often have certified diabetes educators and dietitians on their staff who are highly trained in diabetes management. When patients begin one of these programs they are typically advised about monitoring blood sugar levels on a regular basis, keeping track of the carbohydrates that they consume, making changes to their diet and exercise regimen and then developing a routine of insulin injection to match their needs. Patients are usually referred to these programs by their physicians.

Patients who follow a certain routine in their lives tend to adapt to a type 1 diabetes self management plan better than those who do not. Those with hectic and constantly changing routines have a more difficult adjustment.

Diabetes self management typically involves the patient giving his or herself daily injections of insulin. Another option is the use of an insulin pump. This device, which is about the size of a cell phone and worn about the waist, is attached to a catheter implanted under the skin. The pump injects the patient with insulin around the clock in tiny amounts as needed. It can be removed when necessary and insulin doses can be easily changed when necessary to keep blood sugar in check. The pump is a very convenient option because if your eating schedule is interrupted the dosage is easily adjustable.

Pregnant women with diabetes should become knowledgeable of diabetes self management. Babies born to mothers with diabetes are not born with the disease. However, if the mother's diabetes was not controlled during pregnancy, the baby can very quickly develop low blood sugar after birth and must be watched very closely until his or her body adjusts the amount of insulin it makes.

Having a comprehensive diabetes self management program is essential for the control of type 1 diabetes. As medical science continues it's pursuit of new ways to treat and manage the disease new methods are continuing to show up on the horizon. While these methods are being developed those with type 1 should continue to do everything possible using current knowledge to keep it a bay and guard their precious health.

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Daily diabetes self management is critical for those with diabetes and John Richmond who writes for YourDiabetesInfo.com has done extensive research on the topic. Please visit this site for more information.

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