Type 1 Diabetes

How to Live With Diabetes! Extending Life Expectancy With Type 1 Diabetes

“Will diabetes be cured?” This is the worry of many diabetics. Type 1 diabetes mostly occurs in children or adolescents. After being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes by a doctor, I believe it will be difficult for the patient and his family to accept it all at once.

In the face of type 1 diabetes, in addition to continuing to use insulin and other drugs to control it, we must also pay attention to psychological and mental health. This article today will introduce the average life span of type 1 diabetes, as well as the mentality, methods, and precautions for coexisting with type 1 diabetes.

Average life expectancy of people with type 1 diabetes

According to a report by Diabetes UK, it is estimated that people with type 2 diabetes may lose 10 years in life expectancy. However, according to past statistics, the average life expectancy of type 1 diabetes patients is shorter, with an expected decrease of more than 20 years. However, in recent decades, diabetes care has become more and more advanced, and the life expectancy of people with type 1 diabetes has been greatly extended.

The University of Pittsburgh released a 30-year study in 2012, indicating that patients with type 1 diabetes born after 1965 have a life expectancy of 69 years. According to British official assessments of modern newborns, the average life expectancy for men is 77 years and for women is 81 years. For people currently aged 65, the average life expectancy for men is 83 years, while for women the average life expectancy is 85 years. They are all within 10 years apart, not too different.

How to live with type 1 diabetes

Diabetics take care of themselves

Even if you have type 1 diabetes, you can still have a normal life balance. People with type 1 diabetes can be treated with medication, exercise, and a nutritional plan. No matter where they are, they can get help from medical staff, family members, or other people with type 1 diabetes, so they don’t have to face this alone. a challenge.

Taking care of yourself can reduce the stress of diabetes and help you cope with your condition. Please follow the life precautions prescribed by your doctor, remember to eat healthily, exercise more, and learn how to monitor blood sugar levels. It’s also important to get enough sleep each night and take time to relax and enjoy life. Because the brain and body are connected, it’s easier to cope with type 1 diabetes mentally and emotionally when you’re feeling good physically.

Young doctor visiting her senior patient at home. Medical worker checking blood sugar test to hers diabetic patient

It would be better to find support

Having good support around you is important for living with type 1 diabetes. Spending time talking to friends, family, or someone you trust is a great way to address the worries and concerns of living with diabetes. Although emotional support may not seem important, it actually plays a considerable role in diabetes care. Remember to stay connected with other people with diabetes.

Learn to manage stress and mental health

There will definitely be a lot of mental stress during the illness. If you feel depressed or anxious, please remember to talk to friends and family, or seek help from a counselor, because mental health is closely related to physical health. Please also remember that having type 1 diabetes is not your fault, and there are resources and support around you to help.

Use apps to help with medication and carb counting

Managing type 1 diabetes can be challenging, but new technology is making it easier. There are many new resources available to help you manage type 1 diabetes, including apps designed specifically for people with diabetes to help you count carbs, monitor your blood sugar levels and track your diet and exercise progress.

Learn more about type 1 diabetes

If you are living with type 1 diabetes, please remember to be patient with yourself. No one in this world is perfect. I believe that I will do better every day and manage diabetes more effectively. Continuing to learn all about type 1 diabetes will also help you better understand your condition and take better care of yourself.

How often do I need to go back for a follow-up visit?

It is recommended to see a doctor at least once every 3 to 6 months to check the effect of treatment. The doctor will do some tests to make sure your child’s blood sugar is under control. Depending on the test results, the doctor may change your child’s treatment plan. In addition, the insulin dose and possibly the type of insulin used may vary over time, and the way the insulin is administered (injections or an insulin pump) may also change, especially during adolescence when a child is growing and changing a lot.

As you age, the types and amounts of food you need to eat will also vary. However, carbohydrates are the most important nutrient that affects blood sugar, so it is important to record the carbohydrate content of each meal to help determine blood sugar and control the condition.