Type 1 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed - What Happens
After you are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you may find that your blood sugar levels return to normal. You are in what is called the "honeymoon period." The remaining insulin-producing cells in your pancreas are working harder to supply enough insulin for your body. You may take little or no insulin. But this does not mean that the disease is gone. After the remaining insulin-producing cells are destroyed, the honeymoon period ends, and you will need to take insulin for the rest of your life.
Treatment for your diabetes includes following
a diet that spreads
carbohydrate throughout the day, getting regular
physical activity,
monitoring your blood sugar levels (using a home blood
sugar meter), and taking insulin. By working closely with your doctor and
following your prescribed treatment, you will feel better and have more control
of your life. If your child has type 1 diabetes, treatment involves the same
tasks but allows for normal growth and development.
Before diagnosis, your insulin level may have been low enough to cause severe high blood sugar, with symptoms such as confusion or even coma. This condition is called diabetic ketoacidosis and often requires treatment in a hospital. During your hospital stay, you are given insulin injections and fluids in a vein (intravenous or IV), and your condition is monitored closely. You are still at risk for this emergency in the future if you don't take enough insulin to keep your sugar levels and metabolism normal.
If you have persistent high blood sugar levels over a long period of time, diabetes can damage your:
- Eyes (diabetic retinopathy).
- Kidneys (diabetic nephropathy).
- Nerves (diabetic neuropathy).
- Heart (leading to heart attacks).
- Blood vessels (leading to strokes and poor circulation in your legs).
If you keep your blood sugar level within your target range, you may prevent, or at least delay, these complications. Children seem protected from developing these complications during childhood. But when they become adolescents, their risk begins to increase. Keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible at the beginning of the disease will help prevent these complications.2
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Type 1 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed 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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