What it's like to live with Type 1 diabetes
What it's like to live with Type 1 diabetes
Living with Type 1 diabetes is not as daunting as you may think. As long as you include glucose testing, insulin, nutritious foods and physical activity into each day, you can enjoy a relatively normal, healthy lifestyle
By Lisa Bendall
Taking your insulin
Once you’ve tested your blood sugar level, you can calculate the right dose of insulin to take. Like glucose testing, insulin may be needed four to seven times throughout the day, depending on the type you take and how your blood sugar is doing.
There used to be just one way to take insulin: injection by syringe. If that makes you cringe, it’s good to know that these days there are easier options. An insulin pen is an almost painless injection device. Some models come pre-loaded with insulin cartridges, saving hassle.
An insulin pump makes injections even easier: You pierce your skin only once about every three days, when you need to change the injection site. The pump is programmed to send a steady dose of insulin through a thin tube. It’s up to you to top it up each time you eat or exercise, depending on your insulin needs.
