Living with Diabetes

Type one diabetes is a life long condition, and currently has no cure, however scientific technology is advancing and the possibility of a national and persistent cure is imminent. In the meanwhile the key to the success of managing your diabetes is to persistently monitor your blood sugar levels,. If you regular check your blood sugar levels I reccommend you use a blood glucose monitor which requires minimal levels of blood for testing, such as the New Accu-chek aviva monitor (they can be bought fairly cheaply at your local ASDA Pharmacy).

How Diabetes will effect you and others

Diabetes can have minimal effect on you, as long as you let it be that way. If you come to terms with your diabetes and want your life to be as normal as possible it won't dramatically effect you. To live a normal life you simply just need to check your BGLs regularly but in accordance to this eat the correct foods to sustain stable BGLs. Steady BGLs allow you to live the most normal life and would prevent any majour complications from occuring.

Diabetes won't effect others around you dramatically, however they may become more concerned about your well being, but thats usual - 'Wouldn't you be concerned about a Friends wellbeing with Diabetes?'. Your life won't change as long as you don't let it, and take the necessary precautions to stop it from changing.

Insulin

Insulin is one of three key requirements in maintaining your diabetes, as well as Physical Activity and Healthy eating. The core of diabetes lies between balancing and finding the correct amounts of insulin and physical activity (which lowers the BGL) in proportion to the amount of food consumption you eat and stress hormones(which raises the BGL).

Types of Insulin

Short Acting Insulin - This form of insulin are absorbed in a short time period, it is frequently combined with long acting insulin with teenagers who may require the extra attention in lowering their BGL's due to adolescense; during this period many hormones are used which raises the BGL level, which emphasises the need of using Short Acting Insulin in order to lower the BGL.

Ultra Short Acting Insulin - This form of insulin acts straight away, as soon as it is absorbed into the blood - due to the fast action their have a small duriation
Long Acting Insulin - This form of insulin have a longer duriation in lowering the BGL, however the pace of which the insulin does this is slower
Pre-mixed Insulin - This form of insulin which is mixed with different strengths in order to take fewer injections

Injection Sites

They are numerous injection sites on the body, some better than others. For example your tummy area is one of the best places on the body for injecting which is caused by the tummy evenly spreading out the insulin as well as the tummy is not used in common exercises such as football. Other injection sites include the legs, buttox and arms BUT remember change your injection sites on a regular basis for example after you have injected in the same place 5 times or for two days. Over using an injection site can lead to lipohypertrophy (fatty lumps which are formed when an injection site is over used).

Healthy Eating

Healthy eating is a key to controlling your diabetes, it allows you to keep off sweets and other junk foods which may increase your BGL. Healthy eating is all about having a balanced diet, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, and eating little sugar and fatty foods and using alternatives such as sweeteners.

The effects of skipping meals

Skipping meals should not be done by a diabetic person, four meals is necessary (Breakfast, Lunch, Tea and Supper) as well as two or more snacks throughout the day, they help maintain a steady BGL and prevent any hypo's from occuring!

Healthy Snacks

Make your snacks healthy and nutritious, it allows a steady BGL to be gained as well as getting your five daily portions of fruit and vegetables. Here are some good examples of snacks:

Fresh Fruit: Grapes, Apples, Strawberries, Cherries or banana's (too many will make your BGL go extremely high, especially grapes, however banana's are extremely good for diabetics as they contain a high amount of fibre which is necessary for your diet to be balanced and to keep those BGLs steady).

Dried Fruit: Sultanas, raisins or apricots

Popcorn
Low fat fruit bars
Low fat smoothies
Cereal
Low fat Yoghurt
Rice Cakes

Sugar Free Products

Sugar free products are ideal for diabetic children, however they need to be ate in moderation due to the laxative effect they have. Sugar free products are becoming more common as t he demand increases for dieters and of course diabetics. Many Sweet Shops are selling sugar free ranges, especially on the internet - and did you know you can now get sugar free slush! Popular slush brands today are now opting for sugar free rangers which still include the traditional and tasty flavours!

Check out some of our sponsors who offer these great sugar free products: