Type 1 diabetes: treatment, management and the use of insulin

The second article in a series on type 1 diabetes explores treatment and management of the condition, with an in-depth look at insulin.

Abstract

It is vitally important to manage type 1 diabetes well to improve the individual’s quality of life and reduce the risk of complications. This article, the second of two on type 1 diabetes, aims to enable readers to understand how to monitor blood glucose and administer insulin. Normally, a long-acting basal insulin and a short-acting bolus insulin are used to manage diabetes. As insulins vary in their durations of action, this article provides details of different insulins and their indications. It also considers injection sites, insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring.

Citation: Thorne J (2024) Type 1 diabetes: treatment and management. Nursing Times [online]; 120: 2.

Author: Jade Thorne is nurse practitioner for physical health, West London NHS Trust.