Managing Your Diabetes
With the Right Tools and Resources
Managing type 1 diabetes isn't just about maintaining good blood sugar level control but also about maintaining a healthy state of mind [Healthy Body + Healthy Mind = Happy Life]. While it may be easier said than done, having the right tools and resources to manage your type 1 diabetes will help in making life with diabetes manageable!
Read more to learn about ways I've learned to manage my type 1 diabetes (both physically and mentally) and some of the amazing resources that have positively impacted my diabetes journey.
healthy body
Tools & Gadgets to help manage your T1D
MDI vs. Pump Therapy
Multiple Daily Injections (MDI)
Multiple injections (3 or more) per day. 1 injection of long-acting insulin (basal) to help regulate blood sugar levels throughout the day and multiple injections of fast/short-acting insulin (bolus) before each meal.
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Device/wire free - Does not require a device to be connected.
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Requires pen/needles or vial/syringe to administer insulin (less convenient than only having to press a button).
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Insulin pens require a new needle or if using a syringe, a new syringe per injection (Pens are typically good for 28 days after first use).
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Basal rate is a one time injection (administered either morning or night) and cannot be adjusted throughout the day.
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Reliability of the delivery of insulin via manual injection.
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Requires manual calculations for corrections and meal time bolus doses.
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Uncertainty on how much active insulin is left from the previous bolus, presenting a higher risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Insulin Pump Therapy
Use of an external device that provides continuous delivery of short-acting insulin. Insulin pumps replace the need for multiple daily injections.
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Device is connected 24/7.
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Ease of use/convenience to administer insulin with the press of a button.
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Requires site changes every 3 days.
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Ability to add temporary basal rates based on different activities throughout the day.
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Potential for site failures or kinked wires preventing insulin delivery.
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Ease of mind - The pump does the calculations for corrections and meal time bolus doses.
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The pump will calculate doses based on the amount of 'insulin on board or IOB.'
*The decision on which method of management you choose is dependent on preference and which fits best within your lifestyle. As you move through life with type 1 diabetes, your preferences and lifestyle may change and could require your method for management to shift. Do whatever works for you and if you need to shift, there are plenty of options out there to do so! Work with your doctor to help determine the best diabetes management method.
Continuous Glucose Monitors
Personally, I think one of the best diabetes management technologies that exists today is the continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Continuous glucose monitoring is a method to track glucose levels throughout the day and night (without having to constantly finger prick) via a device attached to the body transmitting the numbers into a receiver or compatible smart device.
The CGM provides:
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greater visibility into blood sugar trends before, during, and after a meal without having to take out a test meter.
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the ability to set low and high thresholds to trigger notifications when the blood sugar is trending low or high allowing to proactively treat a low or a high blood sugar level.
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access to share blood sugar level readings to family and friends while being miles apart (this is especially helpful to alert others on dangerously low or high blood sugar levels).
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healthy mind
Maintaining a healthy state of mind
Mental Wellness
Managing type 1 diabetes is a 24/7 job. There are no vacation days or even hours that you can just shut it off. Some days diabetes will knock you off your feet and make you feel like you have completely failed. On top of dealing with stress factors other than the stress from diabetes, dealing with life can become extremely overwhelming. Diabetes burnout is real and can deteriorate your mental state. That is why it is extremely important to take time out to focus on your mental well-being and get into the right head space in order to be able to adequately manage your type 1 diabetes.
Some activities that can help relax the mind and 'escape' temporarily from the daily noise of type 1 diabetes may include:
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Exercising
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Jumping into a good book
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Visiting with family & friends
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Connecting with others in the T1D community via social media, support groups, diabetes conferences, etc.
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Unplugging (literally) by going on a pump vacation and using MDI (if you are a pump user)
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Meditating
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Try out a new hobby
It can become very hard to manage your diabetes with a clouded mind, so it is really important to find what works for you in the way of providing some peace of mind and taking time to focus on yourself.
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- Ain Eineziz
“You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it”
Disclaimer: I am not a medical expert, nor do I claim to be! I am just a person living with type 1 diabetes sharing my experiences and knowledge with others. Please consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diabetes management.