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What things to know for newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes?

Hello sweet folks,

I am sure you people are all rocking

Type 1 diabetes is a challenge to be managed. Every year the number of children with diabetes is increasing. If your child or you are newly/ recently diagnosed to have type 1 diabetes then this blog is for you.

Newly diagnosed diabetes is like a piece of devastating news as if lightning has struck you and it may be difficult to digest it easily. However, let me tell you it is not as bad as you are thinking. With time things will be clearer. So, as for now just try to understand what has happened, why is it so, and how to handle it.

· What has happened? If you are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes understand that it is an autoimmune condition where your cells forming insulin are destroyed and hence you require insulin therapy. So you need to take insulin and the only way to take it is by injections. They are safe, time-tested, without much pain, and the only treatment for type 1 diabetes.

· Why so? Well, you are born with it and it was supposed to happen. It is what it is. You should accept it and understand that this is going to be with you. I know it may be difficult but the best way to focus on what should be done now rather than thinking about how or why to happened.

· How to handle it? Follow the advice given to you by your pediatric endocrinologist or pediatric diabetologist. Remember children are not small adults and type 1 diabetes management requires special training to manage as it is not a simple and short-lasting condition. Hence, it is best to ask your pediatric endocrinologist how to go ahead with it.

· Alternative therapies don’t work. Remember for the past 100 years the only treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin. There have been claims by many people to treat with different medications and alternatives but nothing has been successful. So, my suggestion will be to stop getting into these things and follow the advice of your pediatric endocrinologist.

· Learn blood glucose testing. You need to keep a watch on your blood glucose as it will help you to decide your insulin dose.

· Learn to use insulin. As we have said insulin is the only treatment you need to understand the way to inject, dosing, insulin storage, and different types.

· Learn about diet & exercise by asking your pediatric endocrinologist. It is important as these two things regulate your daily blood glucose and insulin doses.

· What to do on sick days? Some or other times anyone can suffer from illness and hence it is important to know how to manage your sick days.

· Learn how to handle hypoglycemia. Low sugars can be devastating. You should learn from your pediatric endocrinologist about it.

· Talk to someone who is having Type 1 diabetes. If you know someone it will be nice to talk to that person about it. If you do not know it asks your pediatric endocrinologist to connect you to some known patients. This will help in understanding things.

· Understanding all these things will take time. It is not like in one day you will understand the complete management of type 1 diabetes. It will come with time. So take your time to understand things but make sure you understand them right.

It is challenging but is manageable. So, do understand the things and take help from your pediatric endocrinologist for your diabetes management.