Does Type 1 Diabetes Also Occur in Adults? What You Need to Know!

When we think of Type 1 diabetes, we think of it as a disease that affects young children and young adults. It used to be called "juvenile diabetes." But did you know that one in four people with the condition is diagnosed as an adult? Sometimes, it can be diagnosed as early as 80 or 90 years old. Although there is no cure for this condition, there are many things you can do to help you live with it as an adult. Let's talk about it.

Build the best team to help you.

Everyone with diabetes needs a personalized plan that is unique to them. Even if you are the one executing that plan, you don't have to do it all alone. You need a good team to help you on this journey. Just like a cricket team, you are the captain of the team, but you need some good players to help you.

It is very important to add these people to your team:

• Your family doctor (General Physician): The person who looks after your general health and knows you best.
• Endocrinologist: Since diabetes is a hormone-related problem, the help of such a specialist is essential.
• Nutritionist/Dietitian: This person can help you create a meal plan that is right for you, so you can control your blood sugar levels.
• Diabetes Educator: This person can teach you practical things like how to live well with diabetes, how to use insulin, and how to check your blood sugar levels.
• Other specialists: You may also need to see someone like a podiatrist or an ophthalmologist.

Talk to this team regularly . Keep them informed about changes in your condition and any difficulties you may be experiencing. Only then will they be able to help you in the best way possible.

Be aware of possible complications

High blood sugar levels over a long period of time can damage various organs in your body. No matter how well you control your diabetes, some problems can develop slowly over time. That's why it's important to get regular medical checkups. Also, be aware of any warning signs.

If you notice any of these symptoms, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor right away . If you recognize these symptoms early, you can reduce or even stop the damage.

Let's be careful about what we eat - eat often, little by little

We usually eat three main meals a day. However, for someone with Type 1 diabetes, it may be better to eat smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large meals. This makes it easier to control blood sugar spikes.

Talk to your nutritionist to find out exactly what foods are best for you. In general, it's a good idea to include these foods in your diet:

• Healthy fats: Nuts like cashews, peanuts, and almonds.
• Protein: lean meat (chicken), fish, beans, peas, lentils.
• Complex carbohydrates: Brown rice, oats, and lentils.
• Colorful vegetables: spinach, kale, broccoli, sweet potatoes, carrots, beetroot, pumpkin.
• Low-calorie drinks: unsweetened tea, water with a piece of fruit.

You have to be very 'smart' when exercising.

Regular physical activity has many benefits. It helps you lose weight, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and lower blood pressure. It also helps protect against damage to your eyes and kidneys.

However, you need to be very careful when exercising. Because exercise can cause your blood sugar levels to suddenly rise or fall. Sometimes, a condition called hypoglycemia , which is a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels , can occur.

No smoking at all!

This is something that you need to remember very clearly. Smoking makes it much harder to control your diabetes. It also greatly increases your risk of complications like nerve damage and blindness.

The reason is that the chemical in cigarettes called nicotine raises your blood sugar levels. Research has found that the problem lies in the nicotine. This means that nicotine patches or chewing gums, which are used to quit smoking, are also not suitable for you.

Get the necessary vaccinations on time.

Diabetes can weaken your immune system, making it less able to fight infections. Some infections, like the flu, can also cause your blood sugar levels to rise.

Therefore, it is very important for all adults with type 1 diabetes to receive their required vaccinations on time. These include:

• Get a flu shot every year.
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• Pneumonia vaccine
• Vaccine for shingles, a condition related to chickenpox
• TDAP vaccine for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Whooping Cough

Talk to your doctor about these vaccines and find out how you can get them.

Don't go on this journey alone - mental well-being is very important

Thinking about what you eat every day, testing your blood sugar several times a day, injecting insulin... When you've been doing all this for years, it can sometimes get really tiring and boring, right? This is also called "diabetes burnout."

Sometimes it can feel like everything is going wrong. A slight change in the insulin injection site or a small change in your diet can cause your blood sugar levels to fluctuate. Accept that these things are normal. You can't always be 100% in control. Don't let one day throw your entire plan off track.

Sometimes, it's helpful to talk to others who are living with the same condition as you. Ask your doctor or diabetes counselor about support groups .

Also, it is very important to seek professional help if you have these symptoms.

• Are you no longer interested in the things you used to enjoy?
• Do you feel hopeless about life and everything seems dark?
• Do you feel exhausted and unable to do anything?

These could be signs of depression . If you feel like this, be sure to talk to your doctor about it.

Diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, adult diabetes, blood sugar, insulin, diabetes complications, diabetes diet