Management of Type- 1 Diabetes

 

Management of Type- 1 Diabetes

   Type 1 diabetes (or insulin-dependent) develops when the immune system in the body attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. When the pancreas no longer makes insulin, blood glucose (blood sugar) cannot enter the cells to be used for energy, leaving high levels in the blood.    

People with type 1 diabetes need to follow a different type of plan. A treatment plan, also called a diabetes management plan, helps people to manage their diabetes and stay healthy and active. Everyone's plan is different, based on a person's health needs and the suggestions of the diabetes health care team.

   Insulin is made in the pancreas and is released during times when blood glucose levels are high.  In type 1 diabetes, the body fails to make insulin and thus the glucose levels remain very high.  Usually, the reason that the body does not make insulin is because the diabetic’s immune system destroys the insulin producing cells, though this is not a universal finding.  In others, the cause may be genetic or may be related to a viral infection.  Although the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, the risk of having the disease is greatly increased if a child has a parent or sibling with the same condition

Insulin

To stay well and healthy you will need insulin injections for the rest of your life. Your doctor or diabetes nurse will give a lot of advice and instruction on how and when to take the insulin. Insulin is not absorbed in the gut (intestine) so it needs to be injected rather than taken as tablets.

Carbohydrates, which are sugars, starches and fiber, cause the blood glucose to rise. "Carbs" are found in sweets, as well as dairy products, fruit, vegetables, starchy vegetables, grains and flours. For the person with type 1 diabetes, injected insulin must be matched to the amount of carbohydrate consumed. Counting the carbohydrates in foods is a critical part of good self care. 

Carbohydrates are not "bad" foods. Starches and sugars have a similar effect on blood glucose- it makes the blood sugar rise. In about an hour, most carbohydrate foods are digested and converted to glucose and are entering the blood stream. The blood stream is the fuel line to the body; and insulin transports the blood glucose to cells to run the cellular engine. Protein and fat have little impact on the rise of blood glucose except to slow the digestive and absorption process when carbohydrates are present.

  Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually appear suddenly.  The disease can first start with varied symptoms, so parents need to be vigilant and knowledgeable of the disease to spot it early.  The diagnosis is easy if you know about the disease.  The symptoms may include   

High sugar levels in the blood 

 Over time, the high sugar levels in the blood may damage the nerves and small blood ves

sels of the eyes, kidneys, and heart and predispose a person to atherosclerosis (hardening) of the large arteries that can cause heart attack and stroke.  

High levels of sugar in the urine Extreme thirst  

Dehydration. The build up of sugar in the blood can cause an increase in urination (to try to clear the sugar from the body). When the kidneys lose the glucose through the urine, a large amount of water is also lost, causing dehydration. 

Frequent urination

Extreme hunger 

 Loss of weight  

 The loss of sugar in the urine means a loss of calories which provide energy and therefore many people with High sugars lose weight. 

 Blurred vision

Nausea and vomiting

Abdominal pain 

 Weakness and fatigue 

Irritability and mood changes

Diet and  Living with diabetes Type 1

Depending on your blood sugar, don’t have more than 2 fruits/day and if you are fond of mango/banana, opt for these early in the morning.

 Reduce butter, ghee or oil intake. Also, avoid processed foods like cakes, biscuits, ready-to-eat foods as they are loaded with fats. Salt and sugar and can aggravate complications like blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Corn silk: A 2009 study found that corn silk reduces blood sugar and stimulates beta cell regeneration in 

type 1Suitable foods are meat, fish and other seafood, eggs, goats’ milk products (preferably fermented), Brazil nuts, ground linseed, avocados, lettuce and other leaf vegetables, celery, cucumber, some fresh tomato and raw

on  ion for flavouring a salad, tart apples, lemon and lime juice. Green beans are especially good. diabetic rate     

Boil or steam but do not heat the food to above the boiling point. Nevertheless, much greater benefit in overall health will result from eating these foods predominantly raw Use additional digestive enzymes with all cooked foods,

Use raw onion, lime or lemon juice, ginger or chilli or any other herbs or spices for flavouring meals. If trying out raw flesh foods start using small amounts and increase gradually. Minimise the use of salt, and avoid it if you have a kidney problem, except if your blood pressure is rather low. Small amounts of magnesium chloride or potassium chloride are beneficial instead of salt 

 Eat a salad with each meal using the mentioned low-carbohydrate vegetables and possibly yoghurt. You may use virgin coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil.  

Besides one or two meals, have apples or possibly pears and frequent drinks with diluted lime or lemon juice  Breakfast cereals, oats, bread and other grain or flour products.

herbs 

Some of the herbs that have been studied include:

• Aloe vera
• Coccinia indica (ivy gourd)
• Garlic
• Ginseng
• Gymnema sylvestre
• Ocimum sanctum (holy basil)
• Fenugreek
• Fig leaf
• Milk thistle
• Momordica charantia
• Prickly pear cactus

We know that foods and supplements like apple cider vinegar, pectin, a proper diabetic diet, and lifestyle changes like increased exercise can moderate blood sugar levels; but we are looking to find more home and natural remedies for diabetes type I.

Suitable herbs are bean pod tea, ginger, blueberry leaves, dandelion roots and vinca rosea. Also try liver herbs such as centaury, devil's claw, gentian and milk thistle. Goat's rue (Galega officinalis) has in animal studies been shown to have regenerative effects on the beta cells of the pancreas. Cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, bay leaves and hops increase the natural insulin activity. In addition to vitamins C and E, you may use grape seed extract
Gymnema is an Indian herb that has been shown to regenerate the insulin-producing pancreas cells when used for 2 years. It also helps to prevent the onset of diabetes and to lower elevated blood sugar levels.  Shortly before every meal that is likely to elevate the blood sugar level take an extract of about 200 mg or 1-2 g of powdered leaves.

Cinnamon is helpful for both types of diabetes. With type 1 it may allow a reduction in the daily insulin dose. Generally take 1 teaspoonful daily in divided doses with meals

Bilberry has excellent antioxidant properties due to high levels of anthocyanosides, further increasing the supportive health benefits of this remarkable herb. Regular use of Bilberry helps to support healthy vision as well as the health of the tiny blood capillaries that carry oxygen to the eyes, which are often affected by diabetes.

Keep in mind that this is not the first time that flaxseed has been found to improve blood sugar disorders 

To reduce other risk factors

Avoid tinned fish with any kind of sauce, sausages or other manufactured meat.

The higher the cooking temperature, the greater will be the long-term health damage

Avoid any meat from feedlots, or fish from fish farms. Minimise eating large predatory fish, such as shark or tuna, because of their high mercury content

Minimise the use of salt, and avoid it if you have a kidney problem, except if your blood pressure is rather low

Avoid tinned fish with any kind of sauce, sausages or other manufactured meat

Initially avoid the following foods completely and after the blood sugar level has become normal, minimise their use 

Avoid Sweeteners, sweetened foods, including fruit juice, soft drinks, dried fruit, honey, artificial sweeteners. Avoid 'diet' foods, such as 'diet marmalade' or 'diet drinks 

Stress increases adrenalin levels and this in turn reduces the effectiveness of insulin. Therefore, try to avoid obvious stress and in addition learn relaxation and meditation exercises and practise daily The best advice for all diabetic individuals is that there is little evidence that most minerals or elements control diabetes.  If one eats a well-balanced diet with fruits and vegetables, no other supplements may be necessary.

“Physical activity is an essential part of the treatment plan for prediabetes because it lowers blood glucose levels and decreases body fa

Set good sleep habits. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Relax before you turn out the lights. Don't watch TV or use your computer or smartphone when you're trying to fall asleep. Avoid caffeine after lunch if you have trouble sleeping.

See your doctor every three to six months,

If you're overweight, you might not have to lose as much as you think to make a difference.

Monitoring Your Blood Sugar

The first step toward preventing complications is to regularly monitor your blood sugar or glucose level. This involves pricking your finger, putting a drop of blood onto a test strip, and putting the strip into a glucose meter. The results will help you optimize your treatment plan. When your blood sugar stays near the normal range, you'll have more energy, fewer skin problems, and a reduced risk of heart disease and kidney damage

Diabetes Treatment: Insulin Shots

Everyone with type 1 diabetes must take insulin to help the body process blood sugar. Most patients take insulin as an injection and need multiple shots per day. Your healthcare provider will explain how to adjust your insulin shots based on the results of your blood sugar testing. The goal is to keep glucose levels in the normal range as often as possible.

There is no cure for type 1 diabetes. People who develop the disease — mostly children — are dependent on insulin injections for the rest of their lives. That's because the body’s immune system has destroyed the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Researchers are still trying to figure out what triggers this autoimmune reaction.

WARNING: No information on this website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This home remedies site is intended to be archival in nature. The natural remedies here are submitted by numerous people from around the world, and it is impossible to verify every remedy. As such these home remedies should be used for academic purposes only. Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.