What is type 1 diabetes and how do I manage it?
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition that prevents the body from making insulin, a hormone that regulates glucose levels (sugar) in the bloodstream. It generally develops in childhood or adolescence but may also develop later in adulthood. Without insulin, people living with T1D can suffer from dangerously high (hyperglycaemia) or low glucose levels (hypoglycaemia). Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for T1D and there are no methods of prevention. However, there are ways that people can proactively manage their diabetes to enable them to live better lives.
People living with T1D must take insulin in order to control their blood sugar levels. To better manage their diabetes, they must constantly monitor their glucose either by pricking their finger and using a blood glucose meter or using a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device. A CGM system tracks glucose levels throughout the day and night and can alert you if your levels go too high or low. According to JDRF UK, there are currently more than 400,000 people in the UK living with T1D.
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