What Are the General Guidelines for Treating Type 1 Diabetes?

Insulin is essential for survival and is the mainstay treatment for type 1 diabetics. A diet plan that compensates for insulin administration and supplies healthy foods is extremely important. Major studies have now provided substantial evidence that intensive treatment with insulin and tight control of blood glucose levels significantly delay the major complications specific to diabetes, including nephropathy and neuropathy. Intensive insulin treatment in early diabetes also helps preserve any residual insulin secretion for at least two years.

The primary complication for intensive insulin therapy is a much higher risk for hypoglycemia. Many patients also experience significant weight gain with adverse effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is important then, to manage cardiovascular risk factors that might develop as a result of intensive treatment. Intensive treatment also appears to cause early signs of retinopathy; after four years, however, in one study, there was no difference in retinopathies between patients who had intensive treatment versus those on standard care. Pancreas transplantation eventually may be recommended for patients who cannot control glucose levels without frequent episodes of severe hypoglycemia.

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