A long time ago
Before insulin was discovered in 1921 Diabetes Type 1 was a fatal disease - most patients would die within a few years of onset. Things have changed a great deal since then.
You can lead a normal life
If you have Type 1 and follow a healthy eating plan, do adequate exercise, and take insulin, you can lead a normal life. Look at our page on Famous Diabetics - there are many of them and they have achieved great things!
Balance insulin intake with food and lifestyle
The quantity of insulin intake must be closely linked to how much food you consume, as well as when you eat. Your daily activities will also have a bearing on when and how much insulin you take.
Checking your blood glucose levels
A person with diabetes has to have his/her blood glucose levels checked periodically. There is a blood test called the A1C which tells you what your average blood glucose levels were over a two-to-three month period.
Type 2 patients need to eat healthily, be physically active, and test their blood glucose. They may also need to take oral medication, and/or insulin to control blood glucose levels.
Prevent developing cardiovascular disease
As the risk of cardiovascular disease is much higher for a diabetic, it is crucial that blood pressure and cholesterol levels are monitored regularly.
Healthy eating, doing exercise, keeping your weight down will all contribute towards good cardiovascular health - some patients will need oral medication for this.
Stop smoking!
As smoking might have a serious effect on the cardiovascular health the patient should stop smoking.
A health care provider
A health care professional (HCP) will help the patient learn how to manage his/her diabetes. The HCP will also monitor the diabetes control. It is important that you know what to do and that a professional is helping and monitoring the management of your diabetes.
In most countries the GP (general practitioner, primary care physician, family doctor) provides this regular care. There are also diabetitians, endocrinologists, cardiologists, nurses, internists, pediatricians, dietitians, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, sports specialists and many others.
If a diabetes patient is pregnant she should see an obstetrician who specializes in diabetes (gestational diabetes). There are pediatricians who specialize in caring for the infants of diabetic mothers.
The aim of diabetes management
The main aim of diabetes management is to keep the following under control:
- Blood glucose levels
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol levels
- High and low blood glucose
The patient will need to make sure his/her blood glucose levels do not fluctuate too much.
Hypoglycemia - low blood glucose - can have a bad effect on the patient. Hypoglycemia can cause:
- Shakiness
- Anxiety
- Palpitations, Tachycardia
- Feeling hot, sweating
- Clamminess
- Feeling cold
- Hunger
- Nausea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Headache
- Numbness, pins and needles
- Depression, moodiness
- Apathy, Tiredness, Fatigue, Daydreaming
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Bad coordination, slurred speech
- Seizures
- Coma
More information on Hypoglycemia is available on our Hypoglycemia page.
Hyperglycemia - when blood glucose is too high - can also have a bad effect on the patient. Hyperglycemia can cause:
- Polyphagia - frequently hungry
- Polydipsia - frequently very thirsty
- Polyuria - frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Extreme tiredness
- Weight loss
- Cuts and scrapes will heal slowly and badly
- Dry mouth
- Dry or itchy skin
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence)
- Recurrent infections
- Kussmaul hyperventilation: deep and rapid breathing
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Stupor
- Coma
More information on Hyperglycemia is available on our Hyperglycemia page.
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