Living with Diabetes

You've just been told you have type 1 diabetes. What now?

At its core, proper type 1 diabetes management is composed of a handful of elements: blood glucose control and insulin management, exercise, nutrition and support.

Medication

A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes means your pancreas is no longer capable of producing insulin. Through multiple daily injections with insulin pens or syringes or an insulin pump, it will be up to you to monitor your blood glucose levels and appropriately administer your insulin. You will need to work closely with your healthcare team to determine which insulin or insulins are best for you and your body.

Learn more:

• Monitor your blood glucose levels
• Administer your insulin
• Work closely with your healthcare team

Exercise

Exercise is also a key component of proper diabetes care. Along with all of the other benefits you will receive from being active, your diabetes will also respond in kind with more stable blood glucose levels. We have plenty of information and tips to help get you motivated and keep your exercise routines fresh.

Learn more:

• Fitness
• Get Fit and Stay Fit
• Exercise & Type 1 Diabetes

Nutrition

Nutrition is one of the most important pieces of the diabetes puzzle. Understanding how different foods affect your blood glucose and learning to develop solid meal plans will be a crucial part of your daily routine.

Learn more:

• Nutrition
• How foods affect blood glucose
• Develop solid meal plans

Support

Emotional support, while not often initially considered, plays a key role in diabetes care. Connecting with other people living with diabetes that understand the daily grind of counting carbohydrates, testing blood glucose multiple times each day and dealing with the various highs and lows (both physical and emotional) of life with diabetes can make all the difference.

Talking with people who "get it" is important, and our Online Community offers a place for people living with and affected by diabetes to find that support. Our Family Link program connects parents of children with type 1 diabetes.

Learn more:

• Support for your family
• Our Online Community
• Family Link program
• Stories from caregivers

You Can Do This

Living with type 1 diabetes is tough but with proper care can be a footnote in your life's story. Balancing nutrition, exercise and proper blood glucose management techniques with the rest of your life's priorities mean anything is possible:

• Win an Amazing Race
• Become an American Idol
• Drive in the Indianapolis 500
• Become a pop star with international appeal.

No matter what you want to achieve You Can Do This.