Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Living With Type 1 Diabetes: Medications

After checking blood glucose levels and eating, a diabetic must take the proper medication. Not every diabetic will have the same medication. The medications vary for each person as to what works best for them. These are some of the types of medications that type 1 diabetics take:

Some diabetics take insulin shots. There are many different ways to go about this. The most common way for a type 1 diabetic is to take one shot every night of a long-acting insulin. A long-acting insulin lasts about 24 hours in the body. Then the type 1 diabetic will take a fast-acting insulin shot at every meal or to correct high blood glucose levels. This results in at least 3-4 insulin shots a day.

Other type 1 diabetics might be on an insulin pump. When using a pump, which can either be battery operated or have a charting port, the diabetic will simply press buttons on it to receive insulin. A clear cannula is inserted into the body through a needle and connected to a thin tube that is connected to the pump, this is how the insulin gets to the body. With the pump, insulin is constantly being sent to the body at slow rates according to what you and your doctor decide is best for you.2

If a type 1 diabetic has low glucose levels  they are going to need a food that will raise their blood glucose levels . It is highly recommended to eat a sugary snack to bring the blood glucose level up. Most diabetics have glucose tablets to eat when they are experiencing low blood glucose. This is not required medication but it is extremely important to have something with you at all times in case your levels begin to drop.
Image result for glucose tablets

Each individual must communicate with their doctor about how much insulin they need to be taking and at what times. It is important to stay on top of medications and never forget to take insulin.



References:


24 Ways to Get Started. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2016, from http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/treatments/insulin-pump-therapy  

No comments:

Post a Comment