MONITOR YOUR SUGAR AND CONTROL TYPE 1

DIABETES

Ketki Damle(Registered Dietician)

TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS

Also known as Juvenile or insulin dependent diabetes. Usually diagnosed in children and young adults. It results from body's failure to produce insulin, a hormone which controls blood sugar. This leads to high blood sugar levels and requires the person to inject insulin. Common symptoms are frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger and weight loss.

WHAT IS BLOOD SUGAR MONITORING?

•Blood sugar/glucose monitoring is a way of testing the amount of glucose in your blood.

•Besides lab tests, monitoring blood sugar levels on a day to day basis is also important.

•For type 1 patients, frequent monitoring helps improve blood sugar control.

METHODS OF BLOOD SUGAR MONITORING FOR TYPE 1 PATIENTS

Laboratory method

Self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)

Continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS)

Newer methods - Insulin pump & artificial pancreas

LABORATORY METHOD

This includes various tests such as fasting blood sugar (FBG) which is performed after an overnight fast of 10-12 hours.

2 hrs post lunch blood sugar test measures the post meal blood glucose.

Urine test - To detect the presence of glucose and/or ketones in the urine.

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) measures the average blood sugar concentration over the past 8-10 weeks. This test should be performed every 3 months.

SELF MONITORING OF BLOOD GLUCOSE

• Referred as home blood glucose testing. For type 1 patients, it should be performed at least 3-4 times a day.

• It gives detailed information about blood sugar levels at different time points in a home based setting.

• Helps adjust your therapeutic regimen like your dietary intake, physical activity or insulin dose in response to the blood glucose values, thus improving glycemic control.

• Helps recognize high and low blood sugar levels

ADVANTAGES OF SMBG

•Effective and convenient method to measure blood sugar levels.

• Results are displayed immediately.

•SMBG device is portable and can be used at home, work , while travelling or exercising.

• The results can be used to monitor sugar levels over a period of time

• helps us know the effect of food, medication and activity on blood glucose levels.

DISADVATAGES OF SMBG

•Blood glucose levels cannot be monitored continuously.

•The patient needs to be pricked several times in a day to obtain results which can be quite painful and lead to psychological burden on the patient especially small children with type 1 diabetes.•The test can be demoralizing, if the results are outside the target range.

CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORING SYSTEM (CGMS)

Continuous glucose monitors measures glucose continuously and updates glucose levels every 1-5 minutes over a 72 hour period.A CGMS device consists of - A sensor that is inserted in the body tissue (A&B) A monitor to display information (C) A transmitter that transmits the sensor data to the monitor (D)

The sensor inserted in the skin stays in placefor several days and the transmitter sends information about glucose levels via radio waves from the sensor to the monitor.

ADVANTAGES OF CGMS

- It is more reliable and accurate and provides continuous glucose readings.

- Helps to identify fluctuations and trends in blood sugar levels which often go undetected.

- It helps identify periods of high and low blood sugars.

- It also studies the impact of lifestyle modifications on blood glucose levels.

DISADVANTAGES OF CGMS

- It is expensive.

- It can be painful.

- There are chances of dislodging of the sensor.

- The sensor adhesive can cause skin irritation.

- Calibration errors are possible.

INSULIN PUMPS •It delivers rapid acting and short acting insulin over a period of 24 hours.

•Insulin pumps replace the need for periodic insulin injections.

•They deliver insulin more accurately than injections.

•They help in management of blood sugar levels with fewer large swings in blood glucose.

ARTIFICIAL PANCREAS

•The artificial pancreas uses a continuous automatic glucose monitor that continuously measures sugar and an insulin pump that delivers insulin.

•This device allows you to modify insulin delivery in a way that mimics natural pattern of pancreatic insulin re lease.

•The problem in developing artificial pancreas is with the continuous sensor that measures the blood sugar and the implanted insulin

IMPORTANCE OF BLOOD SUGAR MONITORING IN TYPE 1 DIABETES

•Helps in identifying and responding to high and low blood sugar levels and enables better sugar control.•Helps in making appropriate treatment choices (insulin, diet, exercise) on a daily basis.•Reduces the risk of future diabetic complications.

GET ANSWERS FROM DIETICIANS, DOCTORS, SPECIALIST DOCTORS! GET ANSWERS FROM DIETICIANS, DOCTORS, SPECIALIST DOCTORS!

THREE EASY STEPS TO GET ANSWER FOR YOUR HEALTH CONCERN..

Ask a Doctor Ask a Doctor