Type 1 Diabetes What to Expect

By: Will Boultinghouse & Aman Singh

Basis Biology of Diabetes Type 1

With type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks part of its own pancreas. Scientists are not sure why, but the immune system mistakenly sees the insulin-producing cells as foreign, and destroys them. Therefore, when you consume food to receive energy, you can’t acquire the glucose needed to produce energy due to you not having insulin. That is why you must take insulin injections by shot or by a pump.*Type 1 diabetes is hereditary.

Typical Day for a Diabetic

Here is what a typical day looks like for a child with Type I diabetes: 6:30 – You wake up for the day to get ready for school. You begin by checking your

blood sugar. Then you change your insulin pump set; count all of the carbs that you will eat for breakfast, and give yourself insulin (through the pump) to cover the carbs.

7am – You check your supplies for going to school - sugar tablets, test strips, meter. 10am – You have low blood sugar during gym class - instant hunger pains, shaky,

sweaty. 10:15 – You begin feeling better, retest blood sugar to be sure. Back to gym class. 12pm – You count up all carbs you must eat for lunch. Take blood sugar and give

insulin to cover the carbs and correct high blood sugar if necessary. 2:15pm - Bus time, check blood sugar, if too low, treat with sugar and retest before

getting on bus. 3:30 – You arrive at home and have a snack - check blood sugar first! Count all

carbs and give insulin to cover. 6pm - Dinner. Check blood sugar first! Count up carbs and give insulin. 9:30 - Bedtime. Check blood sugar! High now from over treating during hockey. Give

insulin to correct blood sugar.

Daily Routines

Daily routine includes checking your blood glucose levels, receiving insulin through injections, and keeping watch on the foods you consume. Exercise has to be managed very closely. Too much exercise can cause your blood glucose levels to be dangerously low.

Diet Plan

Are you constantly asking yourself, "What can I eat?" It's time to stop worrying! We'll help you learn to balance your meals and make the healthiest food choices. Once you get the hang of eating a healthy diet, you can relax and it will feel like second nature.

A good diet plan would be:

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Restrictions

People with type 1 diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels. Without proper diet, exercise, and insulin therapy, a person with type 1 diabetes could suffer adverse health effects.

Life Choices and modifications

Living with type 1 diabetes is tough, but with proper care, diabetes can be a footnote in your life's story. Balancing nutrition, exercise and proper blood glucose level management techniques with the rest of your life's priorities mean anything is possible. You will for sure have to change your diet and plan of exercise.

Support

People like the L.S.A. P.M. class are always with you. Talking with people who "get it" is important and the L.S.A. group is always there. You must accept the fact, that you will have to somewhat limit yourself, but you must also know that it’s not at all your fault. Friends and family members in general are also usually very supportive.

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Career Related in diabetic assistance

• Nutritionist or dietician- this specialist, will fabricate a nice diet plan based on your diabetic needs. Facilitate behavior change by counseling patients and families on how to adopt informed lifestyle decisions and incorporate healthier choices into their self-management.

• Certified diabetic educator (CDE)-Facilitate behavior change by counseling patients and families on how to adopt informed lifestyle decisions and incorporate healthier choices into their self-management.

• Primary care physician- Diagnose diabetes, be it type 1 or type 2.

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Cited Sources

• Living With Type 1 Diabetes. (n.d.).[accessed November 1, 2014.] Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/recently-diagnosed/living-with-type-1-diabetes.html

• The Food Pyramid. (n.d.). Retrieved [accessed November 1, 2014.] Retrieved from http://www.lowfatlifestyle.com/lifestyle_diets/foodpyramid.htm

• Primary care physician. (2014, October 24).[accessed November 1, 2014.] Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_care_physician

• Diabetes. (n.d.). [accessed November 1, 2014.] Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-management/art-20047963

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