Type 1 diabetes Flashcards
What is type 1 diabetes?
Pancreas is unable to make insulin so you need to inject insulin to mimic the secretion of normal insulin (NO KNOWN CAUSE) – Leads to high levels of sugar in body which can damage blood vessels
What are common symptoms of type 1 diabetes?
Fatigue, going to toilet frequently, really thirst, losing weight (also signs of diabtetic ketoacidosis (seek help)) –> these are also signs of hyperglycaemia
How can a patient help with self management of diabetes?
Lifestyle change: healthy diet (avoiding foods high in sugar), losing weight, regular exercise
Stop smoking (if relevant)
Emphasise the importance of tight glycemic control
Attending diabetic checks
Encourage good foot care and regular podiatrist appointments
Be aware of low sugar levels (dizziness, palpitation, shaky) – Education programmes e.g. DESMOND – Eat regular meals, avoiding foods with high sugar content – Eat lots of vegetables (and fruit but careful as they have sugars) – Avoid high sugar alcohol – Physical activity to promote weight loss (and it makes your body more sensitive to insulin, and lowers risk of heart disease) – Smoking cessation (as smoking can make your body more resistant to insulin and increase risk of complications) – Check feet daily – Get eyes tested regularly
Further advise surrounding type 1 diabetes
Use a clean needle for each injection to prevent infection. —- Rotate injection site as using same site can irritate skin and lead to fatty lumps. —– Test blood sugar 1-7 times a day (depends on how newly diagnosed). ——Blood glucose levels before meals should be 4-7mmol, after meals 5-9mmol. — Have they got a product to reverse hypoglycaemia (dextrose - Glucagon)? — Enough needles and strips? —- Do strips match meter? —-Sharps bin?
