Since 2019, people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and parents of children with T1D in Quebec can sign up for the BETTER registry.  The registry is a research project led by researchers, patient partners, healthcare professionals and decision makers (e.g., INESSS) to provide a better voice for type 1 diabetes in Quebec (e.g., population, issues … Read more

Technology is constantly improving to provide better ways to manage diabetes. Traditional tools with basic functions such as measuring blood sugar or administering insulin are now being updated with algorithms that can help you make treatment decisions and upload and share your data (e.g., blood sugar levels, insulin doses). People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) … Read more

Whether you’re attending in person or virtually, preparing for your appointment (appt) will allow you to maximize the benefits and address any important issues you don’t want to forget. Your healthcare team may have planned to discuss different questions and issues than the ones you wish to discuss. If you write down your questions before … Read more

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is the main side effect associated with insulin injections in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The harder they work on maintaining or bringing their blood sugar levels close to the recommended range, the higher the risk of hypoglycemia.    With the busyness of everyday life and the many factors that … Read more

One thing that people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) know for sure is that blood sugar fluctuations can have many causes.  What about caffeine? Have you ever noticed any fluctuations in your blood sugar after drinking a cup of coffee, a cup of tea or an energy drink (e.g., RedBullⓇ, Monster EnergyⓇ)? Obviously, any beverage … Read more

Health tech devices (e.g., continuous glucose monitoring systems [CGMs], insulin pumps) are increasingly popular among people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). They provide many benefits in terms of diabetes management, including reduced burden, improved quality of life, less time spent in hypoglycemia and improved blood sugar levels over time (HbA1c).   While these technologies could potentially … Read more

There are many misconceptions about type 1 diabetes (T1D). People with T1D are thought to be eating too much sugar, to be sedentary, to be overweight, etc. Have you ever experienced this with people you know?  These misconceptions often derive from inaccurate information, rumours, a lack of knowledge about T1D or confusion with type 2 … Read more

Ramadan is a holy month observed by Muslims around the world. During this month, Muslims fast between dawn and sunset, which means they don’t have anything to eat or drink during the day.  In the Islamic faith, some people are exempt from observing Ramadan, such as pregnant women, children and people with certain chronic illnesses … Read more

While physical activity is known to provide significant benefits for physical and mental health, it can also increase blood sugar variability and hypoglycemic episodes in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). For them, fear of hypoglycemia is actually one of the most significant hurdles to engaging in physical activity.  If you have T1D, you need … Read more

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have their glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level checked regularly. This important value is measured through a blood test every three to six months and reflects average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months.  In the 1980s, a major study with people with T1D showed that the closer … Read more