Type 1 diabetes – What’s going on in your body?

When you have type 1 diabetes, your immune system attacks cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, the hormone that helps convert glucose into energy for the body’s cells^{1, 2}. To understand how type 1 diabetes affects the body, we need to understand how insulin and blood sugar levels affect the body’s ability to function properly.

Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas when you eat². It helps convert glucose, or sugar, from food into your body’s cells where it can be used as energy². In simple terms, when your insulin level goes up, your blood sugar level goes down². Without insulin, your body cannot make use of and absorb glucose and it stays in your blood².

Having balanced blood sugar levels is important for your body to function properly. Too much or too little sugar in your blood can have some very serious consequences and and reduce risks of complications like^{3, 4}:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Reduced eyesight, blindness
• Kidney disease
• Nerve problems
• Blocked circulation in the feet
• Foot infection

High or low levels of blood sugar can be very dangerous^{3, 4}.

Read more about low and high blood sugar, how to spot the symptoms and how to manage it, below.

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycaemia or a “hypo”, occurs when the level of sugar in your blood drops too low⁴. 

People with diabetes who are on insulin need to be aware of the signs of a hypo as they can be very dangerous. A severe hypoglycemic event is classified as a diabetic emergency that may lead to coma and requires assistance from another person to treat⁵.

• Confusion
• Shakiness or feeling sick
• Sweating, chills and clamminess
• Intense hunger
• Clumsiness
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech.
• Nervousness or irritability
• Coma

You may experience one or more of these when your blood sugar levels are too low⁴. A family member or friend may even mention that you are acting a little strangely or look unwell.

If you have hypo symptoms or if your blood sugar level is less than 3.5 mmol/l (a hypo), you should treat it by quickly consuming something sugary, otherwise, you may lose consciousness⁴.

• To treat a hypo, it’s recommended that you consume 15 to 20 grams of a carbohydrate that is absorbed quickly by the body. This includes glucose tablets, sugary drinks (e.g. soda and juice)⁶. 
• You should test your blood sugar after 10 minutes and if it’s not improved or you still have hypo symptoms, have another sugary snack and repeat this process every 10-15 minutes until you see an improvement⁴.
• You may also need to consume some slow-release carbohydrates as a snack such as toast, biscuits, fruit, a cereal bar or cow’s milk, or a main meal including slow-release carbohydrates, if it’s the right time^{4, 6}.

Over time, you’ll become more familiar with what low blood sugar feels like and what to do about it. Learn more about hypos here. Another opportunity to learn more about hypos is through joining the Hypo Program on www.hypoprogram.com.

If you are unsure about how to manage a hypo, please seek advice from your doctor.

High blood sugar, also called hyperglycaemia or a ‘hyper’, happens when glucose cannot enter the body cells and builds up in your blood³. A hyper can be dangerous, damaging your blood vessels and reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood going to your body’s organs and nerves³. Over time, this can result in irreversible tissue damage and serious health complications⁷.

• Tiredness and lethargy
• Passing more urine than usual
• Being very thirsty
• Blurred vision
• Headaches

You may experience one or more of these symptoms when your blood sugar levels are high³, or a family member or friend might mention that you do not quite seem your usual self. Understand the signs a hyper, as well as some ideas to prevent it, here.

If you experience frequent high blood sugar levels, you may be advised to³:

• Check your blood sugar more often than usual, specifically before and after your meals
• Change your diet and try to avoid foods that cause your blood sugar to rise, such as cakes and sugary drinks
• Drink lots of sugar-free liquids
• Try and exercise more often to lower your blood sugar level, it can be something gentle and regular, like walking
• Look for patterns in your blood sugar results to understand what might be causing it
• Adjust the dose of you medication – you care team will give you specific advice on this

Learn more about how to monitor your blood sugar and track how your body reacts to food, exercise and medication.

If you have difficulties controlling your blood sugar levels and they are regularly too high, it’s important to speak to your doctor or nurse. They can offer tips and advice or they may need to adjust your medication.

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