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Type 1 diabetes – What’s going on in your body?

When you have type 1 diabetes, your immune system attacks cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, the hormone that helps convert glucose into energy for the body’s cells1, 2. To understand how type 1 diabetes affects the body, we need to understand how insulin and blood glucose levels affect the body’s ability to function properly.

What is insulin?

Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas when you eat2. It helps convert glucose, or sugar, from food into your body’s cells where it can be used as energy2. In simple terms, when your insulin level goes up, your blood sugar level goes down2. Without insulin, your body cannot make use of and absorb glucose and it stays in your blood2.

The importance of managing blood sugar

Having balanced blood glucose levels is important for your body to function properly. Too much or too little sugar in your blood can have some very serious consequences and and reduce risks of complications like3, 4:

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Reduced eyesight, blindness
  • Kidney disease
  • Nerve problems
  • Blocked circulation in the feet
  • Foot infection

High or low levels of blood glucose (sugar) can be very dangerous3, 4.

Read more about low and high blood sugar, how to spot the symptoms and how to manage it, below.

Low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia)

Low blood glucose (sugar), also called hypoglycaemia or a “hypo”, occurs when the level of sugar in your blood drops too low4

People with diabetes who are on insulin need to be aware of the signs of a hypo as they can be very dangerous. A severe hypoglycemic event is classified as a diabetic emergency that may lead to coma and requires assistance from another person to treat5.

Symptoms of low blood sugar

  • Confusion
  • Shakiness or feeling sick
  • Sweating, chills and clamminess
  • Intense hunger
  • Clumsiness
  • Blurred vision
  • Slurred speech.
  • Nervousness or irritability
  • Coma

You may experience one or more of these when your blood glucose levels are too low4. A family member or friend may even mention that you are acting a little strangely or look unwell.

woman

"All of a sudden my hands are shaking and my body's shaking."

-Glenn Catina shares his experiences with hypos

How to manage low blood glucose (sugar) episodes (hypos)

If you have hypo symptoms or if your blood glucose level is less than 3.5 mmol/l (a hypo), you should treat it by quickly consuming something sugary, otherwise, you may lose consciousness4.

  • To treat a hypo, it’s recommended that you consume 15 to 20 grams of a carbohydrate that is absorbed quickly by the body. This includes glucose tablets, sugary drinks (e.g. soda and juice)6
  • You should test your blood glucose after 10 minutes and if it’s not improved or you still have hypo symptoms, have another sugary snack and repeat this process every 10-15 minutes until you see an improvement4.
  • You may also need to consume some slow-release carbohydrates as a snack such as toast, biscuits, fruit, a cereal bar or cow’s milk, or a main meal including slow-release carbohydrates, if it’s the right time4, 6.

Over time, you’ll become more familiar with what low blood glucose (sugar) feels like and what to do about it. Learn more about hypos here

If you are unsure about how to manage a hypo, please seek advice from your doctor.

High blood glucose (hyperglycaemia)

High blood glucose (sugar), also called hyperglycaemia or a ‘hyper’, happens when glucose cannot enter the body cells and builds up in your blood3. A hyper can be dangerous, damaging your blood vessels and reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood going to your body’s organs and nerves3. Over time, this can result in irreversible tissue damage and serious health complications7.

Symptoms of high blood glucose

  • Tiredness and lethargy
  • Passing more urine than usual
  • Being very thirsty
  • Blurred vision
  • Headaches

You may experience one or more of these symptoms when your blood glucose levels are high3, or a family member or friend might mention that you do not quite seem your usual self. Understand the signs a hyper, as well as some ideas to prevent it, here.

How to manage high blood glucose (hyper)

If you experience frequent high blood sugar levels, you may be advised to3:

  • Check your blood glucose more often than usual, specifically before and after your meals
  • Change your diet and try to avoid foods that cause your blood glucose to rise, such as cakes and sugary drinks
  • Drink lots of sugar-free liquids
  • Try and exercise more often to lower your blood glucose level, it can be something gentle and regular, like walking
  • Look for patterns in your blood glucose results to understand what might be causing it
  • Adjust the dose of you medication – you care team will give you specific advice on this

Learn more about how to monitor your blood sugar and track how your body reacts to food, exercise and medication.

If you have difficulties controlling your blood glucose levels and they are regularly too high, it’s important to speak to your doctor or nurse. They can offer tips and advice or they may need to adjust your medication.

January 2024. IE23DI00276

References
  1. NIDDK. Type 1 diabetes. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/type-1-diabetes. Last accessed: December 2021.
  2. NIDDK. Insulin Resistance and Prediabetes. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/prediabetes-insulin-resistance. Last accessed: December 2021.
  3. NHS UK. Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar). Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-sugar-hyperglycaemia/. Last accessed: December 2021.
  4. NHS UK. Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/low-blood-sugar-hypoglycaemia/. Last accessed: December 2021.
  5. Diabetes.co.uk. Diabetic Coma. Available at: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-complications/diabetic-coma.html. Last accessed: December 2021.
  6. Diabetes.co.uk. How to Treat a Hypo. Available at: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/how-to/treat-a-hypo.html. Last accessed: December 2021.
  7. WHO. Diabetes. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes. Last accessed: December 2021.

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