Type 1 Diabetes - Home Treatment
People who have type 1 diabetes need to work closely with their doctors to find the right balance of diet, insulin, and exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within a target range. That combination will vary over time, especially for children.
Daily treatment for diabetes includes:
- Taking multiple insulin injections or using an insulin pump.
- Eating a healthful diet that spreads carbohydrate throughout the day.
- Getting physical activity.
- Checking blood sugar levels several times a day and, when necessary, during the night.
Other steps to take
People with type 1 diabetes also need to:
- Wear
medical identification
at all times so that, in case of emergency, health
professionals can see that they have diabetes. - Treat high and low blood sugar levels quickly to prevent an emergency.
- Take extra care of their feet, gums, and teeth to prevent problems that may develop because of high blood sugar.
- Know how to adjust their diet or insulin doses when they are sick or when they become pregnant.
- Have regular medical checkups to monitor the disease and adjust treatment as needed.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Type 1 Diabetes Topics
Is This Normal? Get the Facts Fast!
Answer:
0-69
70-130
131+
Your level is currently
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Did You Know Your Lifestyle Choices
Affect Your Blood Sugar?
Use the Blood Glucose Tracker to monitor
how well you manage your blood sugar over time.
This tool is not intended for women who are pregnant.
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