Type 1 Diabetes Treatment.

Type 1 diabetes treatment correlates with research and development that is conducted world wide. However, despite extensive research, there is currently no cure; although, with proper treatment type 1 diabetes can be managed.

All type 1 diabetics require insulin therapy as their primary treatment for survival.

Insulin is injected into the fat layer directly beneath the skin with a fine needle syringe, an insulin pen, or through an insulin pump.

There are five different insulin categories.

• Rapid-acting insulin is taken with long-acting insulin and provides current insulin needs for meals eaten at the time of injection. 
• 
  
• Short-acting insulin is taken to meet insulin needs required for a meal occurring within half to one hour. 
• 
  
• Intermediate-acting insulin provides half a day or overnight insulin requirements.  It is often used in conjunction with short or rapid-acting insulin. 
• 
  
• Long-acting insulin supplies a diabetic’s insulin needs for a complete day. It is often used along with rapid or short-acting insulin. 
• 
  
• Pre-mixed insulin is precisely formulated with a combination of intermediate-acting and short-acting insulin in one vial or insulin pen. This form of insulin therapy is often administered two times per day before meals. 

 Insulin therapy is specific to the patients needs.

The ultimate goal for a type 1 diabetic is to maintain recommended glucose levels to deter or stop complications of this disease.

In general, daytime blood glucose should range from 80 to 120 mg/dL, and nighttime levels should range from 100 to 140 mg/dL.

In addition to insulin, an exercise regimen, healthy diet, and a steady blood glucose monitoring program will be needed to control glucose levels.

Complications from Type 1 Diabetes.

A person diagnosed with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes will face many health challenges and potentially life-threatening complications.

There are several acute complications that require immediate attention; otherwise, serious side effects such as diabetic coma or seizures can occur.

Hypoglycemia, low-blood sugar, happens when glucose levels drop below normal levels.

Early signs of hypoglycemia are sweating, shakiness, weakness, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, and irritability. As levels remain low a person may experience lethargy, confusion, loss of coordination, and seizures.

 If hypoglycemia is suspected, the blood sugar level should be tested.

Glucose levels can be raised quickly by eating a piece of fruit, hard candy, glucose tablets, or drinking a non-diet soda. A blood test should be retaken every fifteen minutes to ensure levels are rising.

Alternatively, hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, occurs following eating the wrong types of food, insufficient insulin dosages, or as the result of illness.

Indicators of hyperglycemia are excessive urination, increased thirst, vision problems, nausea, hunger, and fatigue.

Hyperglycemia is treated with additional insulin. Diabetic ketoacidosis is caused by the body breaking down fat in the body and creating ketones, a toxic acid.

Ketones are detected by a urine test; large amounts need to be addressed by a doctor immediately.