Treatments for Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cureat least for now. However, it can be managed with proper treatment. The goal of diabetes treatment is to maintain blood sugar levels before and after meals within a healthy range. By doing so, you will feel better on a daily basis and will help prevent or delay the complications of diabetes. Talk to your doctor about what a healthy blood sugar range is for you.

The four main components of treatment are:

• Insulin
• Diet
• Exercise
• Blood glucose monitoring

Treatment may include the following:

• Lifestyle changes

• Medicationsinsulin
• Surgerypancreatic transplantation
• Alternative and complementary therapies
• Other treatments

References:

American Diabetes Associationwebsite. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp .

National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseaseswebsite. Available at: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/ .

Last reviewed April 2007 by David Juan, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.