What is glucagon? Glucagon is a hormone that acts opposite to insulin and allows for sugar release from one’s own liver stores and into the bloodstream.  Glucagon is specifically of interest when blood sugar is very low, hence why it is usually used as a severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar requiring a third party assistance) … Read more Physical activity and hypoglycemia: can glucagon be the key to hypoglycemia prevention?

Sunshine and T1D Canada is considered to have one of the highest rates of type 1 diabetes (T1D) alongside other northern countries such as Finland, Norway, and Sweden.(1) Some studies have reported there might be a relationship between lower duration of sun exposure and risk of having type 1 diabetes. The suspected link has to … Read more Can vitamin D be the key to type 1 diabetes prevention?

Currently, we know that type 1 diabetes is associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as thickening of blood vessels, strokes, abnormal heart function, heart attacks or …

Carb counting, injecting insulin, verifying blood sugar, changing site, calibration of sensor, correcting for a low, worrying about a high or a low, timing meals, balancing diet with exercise and the list goes on! Diabetes comes with a lot of life changes that can, to some extent, become exhausting or overwhelming. Feeling the emotional burden … Read more Work life and T1D: I feel overwhelmed

The duration of diabetes and the quality of blood sugar control affects the likelihood that one would develop complications such as retinopathy and nephropathy. Retinopathy is caused by a damage to the blood vessels of the tissue at the back of the eye (retina). It might show no symptoms or only mild vision problems.  However, … Read more Why are people with T1D regularly asked to measure their hemoglobin A1C?

Hypoglycemia concerns are a reality to breastfeeding mothers living with type 1 diabetes. Worries of hypoglycemia after breastfeeding or during the night are the basis for many recommendations that involve snacking before or during each breastfeeding, including during the night, and reducing insulin doses. Unfortunately, there is no solid evidence to support specific recommendations for … Read more Are breastfeeding mothers with T1D at higher risk of hypoglycemia?

One of the challenges of exercise for patients living with type 1 diabetes is the possibility of a hypoglycemic episode (low blood sugar). There are many ways to avoid having a low that usually involve either decreasing insulin or suspending its infusion or consuming carbohydrates. Recently a study (1) evaluated three strategies addressing when and … Read more Hypoglycemia and physical activity: Update on insulin reduction to safely perform aerobic exercise

A recently published  report from the Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Exchange clinical registry  provides a snapshot on the current trends of T1D care and outcomes as well as changes over time. With data collected from over 22 000 participants with T1D aged 1 to 93 years old, this report provides important information on how T1D … Read more T1D Trends in the US: updates on the management of type 1 diabetes

One of the rarely talked about complications of diabetes is its effect on bone health. According to various studies, people with diabetes have more fragile bones and are 2 to 3 times more likely to have a fracture compared to the general population. The Diabetes – bone health Link Type 1 diabetes is linked to low bone density … Read more How is blood glucose control related to risk of fracture in people with diabetes?