An article to help you understand type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas called beta cells, which are the cells that synthesize insulin.

Some people get a disease called secondary diabetes. The disease is similar to type 1 diabetes except that the immune system does not destroy the beta cells. Secondary diabetes is caused by other causes, such as disease or damage to the pancreas.

What role does insulin play?

Insulin is a hormone that helps transfer sugar, or glucose, into body tissues, and cells use glucose as fuel.

In type 1 diabetes, damage to the beta cells interrupts this process. Because insulin doesn’t work, glucose doesn’t get into the cells. Instead, it builds up in the blood and the cells become starved, which causes hyperglycemia, which in turn may cause the following problems.

Dehydration. When there is extra sugar in the blood, more urine is passed. This is the body’s way of getting rid of sugar. A lot of water is excreted in the urine, causing the body to dry out.

Weight loss. The glucose excreted during urination takes away calories. This is why many people with high blood sugar experience weight loss. Dehydration also plays a role in this.

Ketoacidosis (DKA). If the body doesn’t get enough glucose for fuel, then instead, it will break down fat cells, which produces chemicals called ketone bodies. The liver will release stored sugar to help. However, without insulin, the body will not be able to use it, so the sugar will build up in the bloodstream along with the acidic ketone bodies. This simultaneous accumulation of extra glucose, dehydration, and acid is called “ketoacidosis” and can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

The damage is done to the body. Over time, high glucose levels in the blood can damage nerves and small blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys, and heart, and may make you more susceptible to atherosclerosis (or hardening of the arteries), which can cause heart attacks and strokes.

Who gets type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is rare.

Type 1 diabetes is relatively rare. Only about 5% of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. The incidence is similar in men and women. Although the disease usually starts in people under age 20, it can occur at any age.

What are the causes?

Doctors don’t know what causes type 1 diabetes.

Doctors don’t know all the causes of type 1 diabetes. However, they know that genes play a role.

Doctors also know that type 1 diabetes is caused when something in the environment, such as a virus, tells the immune system to attack the pancreas. Most people with type 1 diabetes have signs of this attack (called autoantibodies). When people with type 1 diabetes have elevated blood sugar, they almost always have these antibodies.

Type 1 diabetes may occur with other autoimmune diseases, such as Graves’ disease or vitiligo.

What are the symptoms?

These symptoms are usually mild, but may become severe. These symptoms include the following.

Severe thirst;

Increased hunger (especially after eating);

dry mouth;

nausea or vomiting;

abdominal pain;

frequent urination;

Unexplained weight loss (even if you have been eating and feel hungry);

Fatigue (weakness, feeling of tiredness);

Blurred vision;

Heavy, labored breathing (what doctors call Kussmaul breathing);

Frequent infections of the skin, urinary tract, or vagina.

Emergency signs of type 1 diabetes include the following.

Shaking and confusion;

Shortness of breath;

Fruity breath;

abdominal pain;

Loss of consciousness (rare).

How is it diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects type 1 diabetes, blood glucose levels will be measured. Glucose may be measured in the urine or the chemicals your body produces when there is not enough insulin.

Currently, there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes.

There is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes.

How is it treated?

There is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes.

Many people with type 1 diabetes lead long, healthy lives. The key to good health is keeping blood glucose levels within the range recommended by your doctor. Frequent blood glucose measurements and adjustments to insulin, food, and activity are needed to achieve this goal.

All people with type 1 diabetes must have insulin injections to control their blood sugar.

When your doctor talks about insulin, he or she will mention 3 main things.

“Time to action” is the length of time before it reaches the bloodstream and starts to lower blood sugar.

“Time to peak” is the time when insulin is most effective in lowering blood glucose.

“Duration” refers to the duration of action after the time of onset of action.

There are several types of insulin.

There are several types of insulin to choose from.

Quick-acting insulin starts to work in about 15 minutes, peaks about 1 hour after application, and continues to work for 2 to 4 hours.

Regular or short-acting insulin starts to work in about 30 minutes, peaks in 2 to 3 hours, and continues to work for 3 to 6 hours.

Medium-acting insulin does not enter the bloodstream for 2 to 4 hours after injection, peaks within 4 to 12 hours, and works for 12 to 18 hours.

Long-acting insulin takes several hours to enter the blood system and continues to work for about 24 hours.

The doctor may start with 2 injections of one insulin per day (two in total). This may progress to 3 or 4 injections per day.

Most insulins come in a small glass bottle called a celine bottle. It is drawn out with a syringe with a needle on the end and injected by itself. Now, some insulins come in pre-filled pens. One type of insulin is an inhaled insulin. Insulin can also be obtained from a pump (a device worn to deliver insulin into the body through a small catheter). Your doctor will help choose the most appropriate type of insulin and the way to give it.

Lifestyle changes

Exercise is an important part of treating type 1 diabetes, but it’s not as simple as going out for a run. It’s important to balance insulin dosing and food with activity, even if it’s just doing simple activities around the house or yard.

Knowledge is power. Measure your blood sugar before, during, and after activity to see how it affects you. Some activities will raise blood sugar levels, while others will not. To prevent your blood sugar from dropping too low, lower your insulin dose or eat a snack that contains carbohydrates.

If blood glucose is high, test for ketone bodies, which are acids formed from high sugar. If ketone bodies are normal, you should engage in these activities. If ketone bodies are high, do not exercise.

It is also important to understand how food affects blood sugar. Once you know the role of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in this, you can develop a healthy eating plan that can help keep your blood sugar in the normal range. A diabetes educator or dietitian can help get started on this plan.

What happens if you don’t treat it?

If type 1 diabetes is not well controlled, you may face serious or life-threatening problems.

Retinopathy. This eye problem occurs in about 80% of adults who have had type 1 diabetes for more than 15 years. Regardless of how long you have had the disease, it is relatively rare before puberty. To prevent it and preserve your vision, keep good control of your blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Renal damage. About 20% to 30% of people with type 1 diabetes develop a condition called kidney disease. The chance of developing the disease increases over time. Kidney disease is most likely to appear 15 to 25 years after the onset of diabetes. Kidney damage can cause other serious problems, such as kidney failure and heart disease.

Poor circulation and nerve damage. Damaged nerves and hardened arteries can cause loss of sensation and poor blood supply to the foot, which can increase the chance of injury and make it harder for open sores and wounds to heal. When this happens, it is possible to lose a leg. Nerve damage can also cause digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.