Just the Facts About Type 1 Diabetes

If you have just been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, you will probably have many questions. It will be helpful to learn about healthy living with diabetes. Here you will find lots of useful information and tools to help you manage your diabetes and achieve your simple wins.

In Type 1 Diabetes, your body doesn’t make any, or enough, insulin. This is because Type 1 diabetes is what’s known as an auto-immune disease, when your body’s antibodies prevent your own cells from working normally, in this case targeting the islet cells in the pancreas that make insulin. If your pancreas can’t make insulin, then not enough glucose can get into your cells, and your body runs out of the energy it needs.

You will learn about high blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia) and low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia) and ketoacidosis. You will also learn about blood glucose testing, meal planning, the benefits of exercise and more.

Hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose)

Hyperglycaemia is when your blood glucose level is too high.  It is usually a sign that your diabetes is not under control and that your insulin dose is not sufficient. You should try to watch out for the following signs:

• Going to the toilet frequently (to pass urine)
• Feeling thirsty
• Feeling constantly hungry
• Losing weight
• Feeling tired
• Blurred vision

You can help to avoid hyperglycaemia by eating a healthy diet, drinking regularly and taking the right dose of your medication on time. If your blood glucose level remains high you will need to increase your insulin dose. Make sure you check your blood glucose level regularly.  Bayer’s GLUCOFACTS® DELUXE diabetes management software is a helpful tool for tracking your progress. By using software to track your blood glucose test results you can easily see if and when your blood glucose levels are fluctuating.

You may need to talk to your diabetes nurse about changing your insulin or medication if your blood glucose level is not staying under control.
 

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

DKA is a serious problem that can occur with Type 1 diabetes, in situations of hyperglycaemia. It happens when your body has no insulin to use. Your blood glucose level gets very high, because there’s no insulin to get the glucose into the cells where it’s needed for fuel. This means your body can’t get any energy and, as an alternative, starts burning fat instead.

This produces what are called ‘Ketones’, which make your blood very acidic. DKA always needs urgent medical attention. If you are blood glucose testing regularly, you will be aware of any changes in your blood glucose level to help you avoid DKA. However if you notice any of the following signs, and your blood glucose level is high, you should seek medical attention.

Early signs:

• Feeling tired
• Feeling very thirsty and/or going to the toilet frequently
• Signs of dehydration such as dry mouth

Later signs:

• Feeling sick/vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Confusion
• Fast, deep, laboured breathing

 Click here to read more about DKA.
 

Hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose)

You may hear hypoglycaemia referred to as ‘Hypos’. It simply means your blood glucose level is too low. You usually get some warning that hypoglycaemia is coming on, but occasionally it can be sudden and cause you to lose consciousness.

The signs of hypoglycaemia are:

• Feeling shaky
• Dizziness
• Feeling hungry
• Feeling irritable
• Sweating
• Confusion

You can develop hypoglycaemia if you have missed a meal or eaten late, not eaten enough carbohydrate, done a lot more exercise than normal or given yourself too much insulin. Alcohol can also cause hypoglycaemia.

Always carry sugary snacks or drinks around with you, glucose (sugar) tablets are good. If you feel the signs of hypoglyacemia coming on, eat the sugary snack first. You should then eat something with starch like a sandwich or your next meal.

Try to avoid hypoglycaemia by eating regularly and often. Build up your levels of exercise gradually and be careful that you give yourself the correct dose of insulin. If you are prone to hypoglycaemia, you should perform blood glucose tests more frequently and adjust your insulin dose as needed.  Always ask your diabetes nurse, if you are in doubt about what to do or if you experience frequent hypoglycaemia.

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