Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is type 1 diabetes? —
This is a disorder that disrupts the way the body uses sugar.
All of the cells in the body need sugar to work normally. Sugar gets into cells with the help of a hormone called insulin. Insulin is made by the pancreas, an organ in the belly. If there is not enough insulin, or if cells in the body don't respond normally to insulin, sugar builds up in the blood. That is what happens to people with diabetes.
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin. You need to take insulin to keep your blood sugar in the right range. Over time, having high blood sugar can cause serious problems such as:
●Nerve damage
●Kidney disease
●Vision problems
●Pain or loss of feeling in the hands and feet
●Needing to have fingers, toes, or other body parts removed (amputated)
●Heart disease and strokes
Keeping track of your blood sugar, and following your treatment plan, will help lower the risk of these problems.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You need to:
●Check your blood sugar regularly – Your doctor or nurse will explain how to measure your blood sugar, and how often to do it. You might use a "blood glucose meter" to test a drop of your blood (figure 1). Or you might get a "continuous glucose monitoring" device that checks the level for you (figure 2).
●Know when and how to use insulin – You need to take daily insulin to keep your blood sugar levels in the right range. You might give yourself shots or get an insulin pump. Take your insulin exactly as instructed.
●Take your other medicines as instructed – Some people with diabetes need to take medicines to manage their blood pressure or cholesterol. This helps lower the risk of problems like heart disease or stroke.
●Learn how to plan your meals and exercise:
•Eating raises blood sugar, so your meals will affect how much insulin you need. You need to know how many carbohydrates, or "carbs," you eat at each meal or snack. It is best to get your carbs from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat milk. Limit or avoid sugary drinks and alcohol.
•Exercise can also affect your blood sugar level. You need to learn how to change your insulin dose before exercising or doing other types of physical activity. Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, most days of the week. Even gentle exercise, like walking, is good for your health.
●Take care of your feet – Diabetes can cause nerve damage if your blood sugar is high for a long time. If nerve damage happens in your feet, you might not feel pain. This can lead to problems like injury, infection, and sores.
●Avoid smoking – If you smoke, your doctor or nurse can help you quit.
●Try to prevent infections – People with diabetes have a higher chance of getting certain infections. You can lower your risk by staying away from people who are sick and washing your hands often. It's also important to get the vaccines your doctor recommends. These might include vaccines to prevent the flu, COVID-19, and pneumonia.
●Carry emergency supplies – This usually includes insulin, anything you need to check your blood sugar, and a quick source of sugar (table 1). Your doctor might also recommend that you carry "glucagon" with you. This is a hormone that can quickly raise blood sugar levels if they get too low. It comes as a shot or a nose spray.
●Wear a medical bracelet or necklace – This way, other people will know about your diabetes in case of an emergency.
●Get support – It can be scary to learn that you have diabetes. But the more you learn about it, the better you can take care of yourself. It can help to involve your family or friends, too. Your doctor or nurse can also recommend support groups or other resources.
What follow-up care do I need? —
You need to see a doctor who is an expert in diabetes, called an "endocrinologist." You will also work with a "diabetes educator" who will teach you skills to manage your blood sugar. They will probably want to see you several times a year. Sometimes, you will need more visits to learn how to manage your diabetes or if your blood sugar is not at goal.
Your doctor or nurse might also recommend that you work with a dietitian. This is an expert on food and eating. They can help you plan meals and make sure that you get all of the nutrients your body needs.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call your doctor or nurse for advice if you have:
●Symptoms of low blood sugar – These can include sweating, shaking, hunger, and feeling worried. If blood sugar gets very low, it can cause confusion or changes in vision. If you have any of these symptoms, it's very important to check your blood sugar right away.
●Symptoms of high blood sugar – These can include intense thirst, feeling very tired, urinating often, weight loss, and blurred vision. If you have any of these symptoms, it's very important to check your blood sugar right away.
●Symptoms of infection, like a fever, pain with urinating, or redness or swelling around a cut or scrape
●Problems with your feet – These include new sores, blisters, cracked skin, numbness, or tingling.
●Questions about how to check your blood sugar or take your medicines
Patient education: Type 1 diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: The ABCs of diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Using insulin (The Basics)
Patient education: Keeping track of your blood sugar (The Basics)
Patient education: Low blood sugar in people with diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Type 1 diabetes in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Diabetes and diet (The Basics)
Patient education: Foot care for people with diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Traveling when you have diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Sick day planning for people with type 1 diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Diabetic retinopathy (The Basics)
Patient education: Nerve damage caused by diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney disease caused by diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Type 1 diabetes: Overview (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Type 1 diabetes: Insulin treatment (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Glucose monitoring in diabetes (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in people with diabetes (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Type 1 diabetes and diet (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Foot care for people with diabetes (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Preventing complications from diabetes (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Diabetic neuropathy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Diabetic kidney disease (Beyond the Basics)
