Type 1 Diabetes Treatment Brisbane Northside

Many people nowadays lead an unhealthy lifestyle that contributes greatly to develop type 1 diabetes. In fact, around 1.7 million Australians have diabetes, and 280 develop the disease every day according to Diabetes Australia. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented but can be managed. It is important to pay attention to symptoms and get diagnosis and treatment. For Brisbane northside residents, treatment is available at Ubuntu Medical Stafford.

Type 1 diabetes happens when the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach, does not produce a hormone called insulin. It is responsible for transporting glucose from the bloodstream and into the cells that use it as fuel. People who suffer from type 1 diabetes depend on insulin every day and must test their blood sugar levels several times throughout the day. Without it, their body will burn its own fats and undergo the state of ketoacidosis, where dangerous chemicals (ketones) accumulate in the blood.

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

Excessive thirst
Increased and frequent urination
Constant hunger
Fatigue
Blurry vision
Cuts or sores that don’t heal properly
Frequent infections

People are at higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes if they have a family history of diabetes, given birth to a baby heavier than 9 lbs., high blood sugar levels, are over 45 years of age, overweight, have polycystic ovarian syndrome, or of African-American, Hispanic or Latino American, American Indian, or Alaska Native descent.

Treatments for Type 1 Diabetes

Patients of type 1 diabetes need to be hands-on when it comes to managing their illness. It is advisable to work with a doctor to discuss diabetes management which may include taking insulin, frequent blood sugar monitoring, adopting a diet fit for diabetes, and exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight.

Insulin cannot be taken orally because it will be broken down by stomach enzymes, defeating its purpose. There are ways in which insulin is administered: through injection, pens, and through an insulin pump. Insulin syringes are the most common, and they vary in different sizes depending on the quantity of insulin being injected. Syringes should be used once and must be disposed in an appropriate disposal unit. For those who suffer from poor eyesight and arthritis, they might find an insulin pen easier to use. It also comes in different shapes and sizes. Lastly, an insulin pump is worn outside the body where a tube connects a reservoir of insulin to a catheter inserted under the skin of the abdomen.
Patients with type 1 diabetes might need to monitor their blood sugar levels at least four times a day. Specifically, keep the blood sugar levels before meals at between 80 and 130 mg/dL, and no higher than 180 mg/dL two hours after the meal.
A healthy diet consisting of nutritious, low-fat, high fiber foods is important in managing diabetes. Patients might also need to avoid refined carbohydrates and fewer consumption of animal products
Physical activity is great for maintaining a healthy weight and lowering blood sugar levels.

Medications

Doctors may also prescribe the following medications:

Aspirin to protect the heart
Metformin helps decrease the stored glucose produced by the liver and help the body improve sensitivity to insulin.
SGLT-2 inhibitors promote excretion of sugar through urine to lower blood sugar levels and is also known to aid weight loss and drop in blood pressure.
Pramlintide lowers the glucose after meals and helps keep the person feel fuller for a long time. It also suppresses the release of another hormone glucagon, which causes the liver to release glucose into the blood.

Need to see a professional for Type 1 Diabetes treatment, Brisbane northside? Contact Ubuntu Medical today by calling (07) 3857 3777.

At Ubuntu Medical, we also do Cholesterol Tests.