Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
- When they exercise
- When they are sick
- When they will be eating more or less food and calories
- When they are traveling
DIET
People with type 1 diabetes should eat at about the same times each day and try to be consistent with the types of food they choose. This helps to prevent blood sugar from becoming extremely high or low. (See:
The American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association have information for planning healthy, balanced meals. It can help to talk with a registered dietitian or nutrition counselor.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Regular exercise helps control the amount of sugar in the blood. It also helps burn excess calories and fat to achieve a healthy weight.
Ask your health care provider before starting any exercise program. Those with type 1 diabetes must take special precautions before, during, and after intense physical activity or exercise.
- Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
- Ask your doctor or nurse if you have the right footwear.
- Choose an enjoyable physical activity that is appropriate for your current fitness level.
- Exercise every day and at the same time of day, if possible.
- Monitor your blood glucose levels at home before and after exercising.
- Carry food that contains a fast-acting carbohydrate in case your blood glucose levels get too low during or after exercise.
- Wear a diabetes identification bracelet and carry a cell phone to use in case of emergency.
- Drink extra fluids that do not contain sugar before, during, and after exercise.
- As you change the intensity or duration of your exercise, you may need to modify your diet or medication to keep your blood glucose levels in an appropriate range.
SELF-TESTING
Self-testing refers to being able to check your blood sugar at home yourself. Regular self-testing of your blood sugar tells you and your health care provider how well your diet, exercise, and diabetes medications are working. This is also called self-monitoring of blood glucose, or SMBG.
A health care provider or diabetes educator will help set up a testing schedule for you at home.
- Your doctor will help you set a goal for what level your blood sugar should be during the day.
- The results can be used to adjust meals, activity, or medications to keep
blood sugar levels within an appropriate range. Tests are usually done before meals and at bedtime. More frequent testing may be needed when you are sick, under stress, or adjusting your insulin dosing.
Testing will provide valuable information so the health care provider can suggest improvements to your care and treatment. Testing will identify high and
A device called a glucometer can provide a blood sugar reading. There are different types of devices. Usually, you prick your finger with a small needle called a lancet to get a tiny drop of blood. You place the blood on a test strip and put the strip into the device. You should have results within 30 - 45 seconds.
Keeping accurate records of your test results will help you and your health care provider plan how to best control your diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association recommends keeping blood sugar levels in a range that is based on your age. Discuss these goals with your physician and diabetes educator.
Before meals:
- 70 - 130 mg/dL for adults
- 100 - 180 mg/dL for children under age 6
- 90 - 180 mg/dL for children 6 - 12 years old
- 90 - 130 mg/dL for children 13-19 years old
Previous Section
Review Date: 05/10/2010
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns
Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by
VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA,
Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
