Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes, also known as Juvenile Diabetes, is the most severe type out of the 3 different types of diabetes. Mostly found in babies, children and teenagers, there are a few cases to be found in people that are in their 20's.

Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes means being insulin dependant for the rest of your life. This consists of many needles!

Insulin has come a long way in the last 10 years. There are now quite a few different types of insulin to choose from. The newest type of insulin is called Novo Rapid. With this type of insulin you are more flexible to live a normal life.

With diabetes the problem occurs in your pancreas, either your body isn't producing any insulin at all or very little. With the new type of insulin on the market it's designed to try and work as close to what your normal pancreas would have done.

One of the most important parts of being diabetic (no matter what type) is talking care of you. Having a glucometer is an absolute necessity to being a diabetic. There are many different types of glucometers to choose from. They can be very simple functioning and just read your blood sugar levels or more detailed where you can put in your exercise, food and how you're feeling. No matter which type you choose from it's imperative to watch your blood sugar levels. On an average day your levels should be checked before every meal and right before bedtime.

A normal healthy functioning pancreas blood sugar levels range between 4 and 7, and will go as high as 10 just after eating. This is the range in which diabetics should be trying to achieve. At the beginning this is a very hard thing to accomplish but after some time and working with your doctor and dietitian you should be able to level everything out. Every person reacts to insulin in different ways. One person might need more of it, while others might need less. If you are using Novo Rapid you will need to learn how to carbohydrate count. This takes sometime to level out your insulin to how much food you are consuming however you will be able to reach your goal with time and effort.

Every diabetic will hit bumps in the road at some point. Stress, sickness, exercise and everyday life affects your levels. Trying to get yourself into a routine will help minimize the amount of ups and downs you might have. Exercise is especially important to watch. Exercise burns sugar off, when this happens you could have too much insulin left in your system. Leaving you to go into what's called hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can be very dangerous if left untreated. It's very important that you have sugar on hand e.g. a juice box or candies. If left untreated you could end up in a coma.

Being a child with diabetes is more difficult than someone that is older. They can't communicate how they're feeling or what they need as easily. Parents have to be actively involved in their lives. Support groups maybe helpful for parents, learning more about the disease and different ways to help their children could be very beneficial.

If you're interested in learning more about support groups contact your closest Diabetes Education Center and they will gladly help you.

Overall people with Type 1 diabetes can live a fairly normal life if taken care of properly.