Type 1 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed: Prevention

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Prevention

Wear medical identification

Wear medical identification at all times. If you have an accident or you are taken to a hospital, this identification lets people know that you have diabetes so that they can care for you appropriately. You can buy medical identification in bracelets, necklaces, or other forms of jewelry at your local pharmacy.

Prevent high and low blood sugar emergencies

Blood sugar usually rises above a normal or near-normal range slowly, but it can lead to a life-threatening emergency unless it is treated promptly. Your blood sugar is likely to rise when you are sick. For more information, see guidelines for when you are sick.

Diabetes: Preventing high blood sugar emergencies

Diabetes in children: Preventing high blood sugar

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can develop very quickly. It can lead to a life-threatening emergency if it is not treated quickly. Low blood sugar can be especially dangerous if you drive. Do not drive if your blood sugar level is below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Take precautions when you are driving, and be prepared to stop and treat low blood sugar.

Diabetes: Dealing with low blood sugar from insulin

Diabetes in children: Preventing low blood sugar

Having a routine (when you eat, exercise, take your insulin, and check your blood sugar at about the same time every day) can also help prevent high and low blood sugar emergencies. When you have a routine, your blood sugar levels may be more predictable. A routine will also help you to remember to check your blood sugar and give yourself your insulin injections.

Preventing soreness and infection at injection sites

You can prevent soreness and infection at your injection sites by:

• Varying the place where you give your injections. See the diagram of injection sites .
• Washing your hands before preparing and giving an injection.
• Cleaning the injection area with a piece of cotton dipped in alcohol or with a commercial alcohol wipe.
• Not using needles that are bent or have been reused several times.

Last updated:	September 24, 2008
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC