Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Prevention

There is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes. Mothers sometimes are advised not to give cow's milk to their babies for the first year of life to prevent allergies, and possibly to prevent type 1 diabetes in genetically susceptible infants, but there is no proof that this prevents the disease.

Treatment

Treatment of type 1 diabetes requires insulin to be injected under the skin to make up for the insulin that is not produced by the body. Most often, this is accomplished with two to four injections per day. The traditional method is to use a syringe. Some patients now use semiautomatic injector pens that help to measure precise amounts of insulin. An increasing number of patients use insulin pumps, which deliver a regulated dose of insulin from a pack, worn at the waist or elsewhere on the body, through a needle implanted under the skin. Other ways to deliver insulin, such as inhalation, are being investigated.

In order to properly regulate insulin intake, people with type 1 diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels several times per day by testing a sample of blood. This is done by pricking the finger, usually with a spring-loaded device that makes the process less painful. A small drop of blood is placed on a test strip, which then is inserted into a device called a glucose monitor. A highly accurate reading of blood sugar levels is returned within seconds. Newer glucose monitors have test strips that take the blood directly from the spot that was pricked, a process that can require less blood. Some newer monitors also allow blood to be taken from the forearm, thigh or the fleshy part of the hand, which can be less painful.

People with diabetes also need to watch their diets and get regular exercise. A healthy diet for someone with type 1 diabetes is one that keeps the amount of glucose in the blood relatively constant, which makes it easier to control with insulin. A person with type 1 diabetes typically is advised to eat, exercise and take insulin at about the same times every day. Regular habits help to keep glucose levels within the normal range. Some methods of tight blood sugar control involve testing blood sugar several times during the day and taking a fast-acting insulin as needed, depending on the amount of carbohydrates being taken in. Your doctor or dietitian will help you determine the best insulin and diet schedule for you or your child.

Exercise helps to keep the heart and blood vessels healthy and helps to control blood sugar by causing muscles to use glucose and by keeping body weight down. Ask your doctor for guidance on how much and when to exercise to best control your diabetes.