Type 1 Diabetes

Have you or your loved one been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?  If so, you probably have come to realize how much it has changed your daily routine in order to best manage and control your blood sugar.  It can very much be a nuisance and cause you to miss out on some of the food, drinks, and activities that you would otherwise thoroughly enjoy.  However, if left untreated it could pose many risks to your health and cause many health complications down the road.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition you will have to live with and work to manage throughout your entire life…there is no cure.  This condition was is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes because the pancreas produces little or no insulin.  Insulin is the hormone needed to allow sugar to enter cells and produce energy, which is why individuals with type 1 diabetes greatly rely on regular administration of insulin.

There are pertinent symptoms of type 1 diabetes to become familiar with in order to recognize if you have this condition.  Never hesitate to consult your medical provider if you were to notice any of these symptoms because the quicker you receive treatment, the more your risk decreases of having more serious problems.  Keep in mind also that the signs and symptoms may come on rather quickly and may include the following:

·      An increase in thirst, or dry mouth

·      Frequent urination

·      Extreme hunger

·      Unintentional weight loss

·      Becoming irritable or having other noticeable mood changes

·      Fatigue and weakness

·      Blurred vision

·      Females may experience vaginal yeast infections

What causes type 1 diabetes is actually unknown.  However, in most individuals that are diagnosed with this condition their own immune system – which is normally supposed to fight off harmful bacteria and viruses – attacks and destroys their cells that produce insulin in their pancreas by mistake.  Genetics is also a possible factor that may play a role in development of type 1 diabetes.  In addition certain exposure to factors in the environment, such as viruses, may also trigger the condition to develop.

Let’s talk about the role of insulin and the role of glucose (sugar) in your body now just to make sure you have a good idea of what their jobs are. 

·      Role of Insulin

·      Once large amounts of your insulin producing cells are destroyed, your body will begin to produce little or no insulin at all.

·      The pancreas secretes insulin in your bloodstream.

·      Insulin circulates through your blood and allows sugar to enter your cells.

·      Insulin ultimately works to lower the amount of sugar in circulation by continuously capturing it.

·      As your level of sugar in your blood drops, so does the amount of insulin that your pancreas secretes.

·      In individuals that do not have diabetes, the secretion of insulin and amounts of sugar circulating in their blood most always even out so there is never too much sugar, or too little sugar…it’s always in balance.

·      Role of Glucose

·      Glucose is simply a fancy word for sugar.

·      Sugar is a main source of energy for your cells that make up muscles and other tissues.

·      Glucose comes from the food/drink you consume and from your liver.

·      Sugar is absorbed into your bloodstream, where it enters your cells with the help of insulin that is also in your bloodstream.

·      The liver stores glucose and it turns into glycogen.

·      So…when your glucose levels are low, the liver will convert the glycogen it has in storage into glucose to help keep your blood sugar level within normal range.

Since type 1 diabetics rely on insulin, they usually will not have the right amount in circulation to capture the sugar floating around.  Therefore, sugar tends to build up more quickly in the bloodstream and could cause numerous different problems that will require medical treatment.  There are some risks that could place you more likely to be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes which may include: family history, genetics, exposure to certain viruses and low vitamin D levels.

Type 1 diabetes can affect the major organs within your body if your blood sugar levels are out of normal limits consistently…organs such as your heart, blood vessels, eyes and kidneys.  Long-term complications can develop gradually over time, so it is very important to manage your blood sugar level as best as possible to decrease your risks.  Some complications may include:

·      Kidney damage.  Your kidneys contain millions of tiny blood vessels that filter wastes from your blood.  So, if your blood sugar levels are always high the filtering system in your kidneys will become overwhelmed and overworked resulting in damage, which may lead to kidney failure.

·      Heart & vascular disease.  Diabetes greatly increases your risk of various heart vascular problems that may lead to chest pain, heart attack, stroke and more.

·      Nerve damage.  Excess amounts of sugar circulating can cause injury to the walls of the tiny blood vessels that provide nutrients to your nerves…especially in your legs.  Diabetics tend to experience tingling, numbness, burning or pain in their extremities.  Diabetes that is poorly taken care of could possibly lead to losing all sense of feeling in the affected limb, which could ultimately lead to painful ulcers or even amputation. 

To diagnose you, your medical provider will have you participate in blood tests that will be evaluated in order to see to what extent you are affected by high blood sugar levels.  Once diagnosed, your treatment plan will be formulated and you will be educated on how to best manage your condition.  The main goal of your treatment will be to keep your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible in order to delay or prevent complications that would occur otherwise.  Ways to treat your type 1 diabetes may include taking insulin, counting the carbohydrates you consume, frequently testing your blood sugar, eating healthy, and exercising regularly.

Total Home Health has a program and a team of professionals that will be right for you in order to help you throughout your journey with type 1 diabetes.  We understand that good diabetes management can be very overwhelming.  We’ll take it one day at a time with you and work to develop a treatment regimen that works best to manage your blood sugar by going at your pace and taking your health wishes into consideration to direct your care. 

Education is very important with a diagnosis of diabetes because there are so many factors you can tweak in your daily routine yourself, without medical attention, that could help to maintain your blood sugar.  Ultimately, it’s time to take charge of your own health and stand up to diabetes…there is too much to live for in the short time we have to enjoy life to allow for this condition to compromise our health.  Enroll with Total Home Health today, you’ll be introduced to professionals who really show you they care day after day and who are always looking for better ways to help you manage your condition.