Type 1 Diabetes

What is type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease. In people with type 1 diabetes, cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed, so the body is unable to make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body’s cells use glucose (sugar) for energy. Your body gets glucose from the food you eat. Insulin allows the glucose to pass from your blood into your body’s cells. When the cells have enough, your liver and muscle tissues store the extra glucose in the form of glycogen.

It’s broken down into blood sugar and released when you need energy between meals, during exercise, or while you sleep. With type 1 diabetes, your body is unable to process glucose due to the lack of insulin. Glucose from your food can’t make its way into your cells. This leaves too much glucose circulating in your blood. High blood sugar levels can lead to both short- and long-term problems.

What are some symptoms of type 1 diabetes?

The following are symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

  • Excessive hunger
  • Excessive thirst
  • Blurred vision
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent urination
  • Dramatic weight loss in a short period of time

Type 1 Diabetes is often diagnosed in children and young adults; although it can occur at any age. Symptoms include

  • Weight loss
  • Wetting the bed or urinating more often
  • Feeling weak or fatigued
  • Being hungry or thirsty more often
  • Mood changes
  • Blurred vision

Does type 1 diabetes have a cause?

There is no direct cause of type 1 diabetes, however some risk factors are outlined below.

Race

People who are white may have more genetic predisposition to type 1 diabetes, since the condition is more common in this group.

Environmental factors

Some viruses may trigger type 1 diabetes as well. It’s unclear which ones might do this, however. Likewise, people from cold climates are more likely to have type 1 diabetes.

Genetic factors

One is more likely to have type 1 diabetes if a close relative has it.

How is the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes made?

A diagnosis of diabetes (type 1 or type 2) is made if

  • Fasting blood sugar is greater than 7.0mmol/L on two separate tests.
  • Random blood sugar is greater than 11.1mmol/L, along with symptoms of diabetes.
  • Hemoglobin A1c is greater than 6.5 on two separate tests.

Type 1 diabetes is more common in the younger population and an absence of C-peptide autoantibodies can differentiate it from Type 2.

What are the complications of Type 1 diabetes?

The two most common complications are hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis.
Hypoglycemia happens when your blood sugar is too low, usually when your body has too much insulin. It can happen if you wait too long to eat or have a snack, or if you exercise too much.
Ketoacidosis can be a life threatening condition. This when your body doesn’t have enough insulin.

Symptoms of this condition include:

  • Rapid breathing
  • Dry skin and mouth
  • Flushed face
  • Fruity breath odor
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting or stomach pain

In addition, high blood sugar levels can cause damage to various parts of the body. Symptoms can include:

  • Increased heart attack risk
  • Eye problems, including blindness
  • Nerve damage
  • Infections on the skin, especially the feet, that could require amputation in serious cases
  • Kidney damage

How is type 1 diabetes managed?

  • Insulin: People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day. You usually take the insulin through an injection. The amount needed varies throughout the day
  • Metformin
  • Good diet and exercise
  • Regular medical checkups

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