Home care for type 1
diabetes includes:
- Avoid alcohol.
- Stop smoking
- Avoid exposure to secondary smoke
- If you have high blood pressure:
- Learn how to take your blood pressure.
- Check your blood pressure every day.
- Keep a log of your results.
- Check your blood sugar every day.
- Keep a log of your blood sugar results.
- Follow an exercise plan as directed by your doctor.
- Follow your diabetes diet as directed.
- Get regular dental checkups and practice good dental hygiene.
- Get regular eye and foot examinations.
- Inspect the skin of your feet and your nails every day, in order to look for injury.
- Lose weight if you are overweight.
- Take insulin as prescribed by your doctor.
- Take prescribed medications as directed.
- Patients with kidney impairment should be advised to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, and other medications that are metabolized by the kidney. Acetaminophen can be used for pain and fever control because it is not metabolized by the kidneys.
- Wear a Medic Alert bracelet at all times.
Example of Sliding Scale Insulin Dosing| Glucose Reading | Regular Insulin Dosing |
| 140 - 160 | 2 units, re-check glucose in 2 hrs |
| 200 - 240 | 4 units, re-check glucose in 2 hrs |
| 240 - 300 | 6 units, re-check glucose in 2 hrs |
| 300 - 400 | 8 units, re-check glucose in 2 hrs |
| 400 - 500 | 10 units, re-check glucose in 2 hrs |
| > 500 | See doctor now! |
Check with your doctor for specific adjustments in sliding scale doses. Your sliding scale dose will vary with your weight, diet, level of activity, and sensitivity to
insulin.
