Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in childhood but can be found in older patients to age 40. The body makes little if any insulin, and daily injections of it are needed to avoid death. Lacking insulin, the blood glucose levels rise which can cause some of the more common symptoms of hyperglycemia. What causes type 1 is not completely known but lifestyle and genetics are known keys. When the disease occurs a type 1 diabetes self management program becomes necessary.

Millions of people suffer from the disease and they are all susceptible to the complications that come with it. Cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, vision problems, nerve damage, foot and skin problems and depression are a few of the major complications associated with it. Because of the seriousness of these complications a diabetes self management program is mandatory for people who are give a type 1 diagnosis.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include: excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, excessive hunger, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue and absence of menstruation.

For those with type 1 diabetes seeking help with their diabetes self management plan, educational programs have been developed to aid patients in this endeavor. Dietitians and certified diabetes educators who are experts in diabetes management, staff the best of these programs. Topics like blood sugar control, tracking carbohydrate intake, exercise and diet recommendations and insulin self-injection are covered. These healthcare professionals put together a regimen of diabetes self management that is suited to their particular requirements. When these plans are followed closely, patients tend to have fewer complications and they feel better too. Patients are typically sent to them by way of physician referral.

Patients who follow a certain routine in their lives tend to adapt to a type 1 diabetes self management plan better than those who do not. Those with hectic and constantly changing routines have a more difficult adjustment.

Insulin self-injection is a skill that must be learned when undertaking diabetes self management. Many patients however prefer using an insulin pump that is worn around the waist. About the size of a pager, this device which is connected to a catheter implanted under the skin and injects insulin as needed in small doses. This often feels more natural to the patient and the pump is simply detached when needed for activities like taking a shower or swimming. And when blood sugar levels change it’s easy to adjust the dose.

It is of utmost importance that pregnant women who have have diabetes keep their blood sugar in check. While everyone coping with the disease should see improvements in the way they feel, proper diabetes self management is especially necessary for pregnant women because failure to control their blood sugar increases the chances that their baby could have an abnormality.

Developing a good type 1 diabetes self management plan requires becoming educated about the disease in general, understanding what the complications are, and learning the skills necessary to take care of yourself. Remember, diabetes if treated early and properly is manageable.

Daily diabetes self management is critical for those with diabetes and John Richmond who writes for YourDiabetesInfo.com has done extensive research on the topic. Please check out this site for more information.