Treatments for Type 1 Diabetes

MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: You or someone you know may have type 1 diabetes. This video will show you some treatment options your doctor may prescribe to help manage it. If you have type 1 diabetes, your goal is to keep your blood glucose, or sugar, within a normal range. Your doctor may suggest a combination of insulin therapy, other medicines, checking your blood sugar, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. Because your pancreas doesn't make enough or any insulin, you will need to take insulin. It will replace what your body should be making. A health care professional can train you to inject the insulin just under the skin. You may need to give yourself injections several times each day. And you will need to rotate between injection sites. This helps avoid damage to your tissues and helps make sure you get the best results from your insulin. Another way to get insulin is through an insulin pump. The pump is attached to your body and sends insulin through a tube that is just under your skin. Your pancreas may not be making enough of a chemical called amylin. Normally, amylin helps control your blood sugar level by reducing the amount of sugar your liver makes during a meal. It also slows the movement of food through your stomach so your body doesn't take it in as fast. If your body isn't making enough amylin, there are medicines to replace it. How much medication you need will depend on the level of sugar in your blood. You will need to check the level of sugar in your blood with a glucometer. Ask your doctor how often to check. To do this, you will prick your finger with a small needle called a lancet. Then you will place a drop of blood in the glucometer following the directions provided with your glucometer. Knowing your blood sugar level allows you to adjust your insulin dose, the calories you eat during meals, and physical activity as directed by your health care provider. Your treatment plan includes eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. They will help you manage your sugar level and may help reduce your risk of complications from type 1 diabetes. It is important to take your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not go off your medication unless your doctor tells you to do so. Tell him or her about any side effects you may have.