FAQs

We don’t yet know the exact cause of type 1 diabetes but we do know it has a strong family link. However it can only occur when something, like an infection triggers the immune system to destroy the insulin-making cells in the pancreas. While the cause of type 1 diabetes has nothing to do with lifestyle, a healthy lifestyle is very important to manage diabetes.

There is a great deal of research happening around the world, but at this stage nothing can prevent or cure type 1 diabetes.

Hypos can happen for any of the following reasons:

• after physical exercise
• being late eating a meal or snack
  
• not eating enough carbohydrates
  
• too much insulin
  
• some infections
  
• drinking alcohol

You can’t always prevent a hypo, but there are some things you can do to reduce the chances of it happening, such as:

• eating regularly
  
• taking your insulin at the right time and dosage
  
• adjusting the amount of insulin and food depending on how much physical exercise you are getting
  
• eating more carbohydrates if you are going to drink alcohol
  
• not injecting in the same place all the time

Hypers can happen for any of the following reasons:

• not enough insulin
  
• forgetting to take insulin
  
• less exercise than usual
  
• eating more than usual
  
• stress
  
• some infections
  
• very hot weather