Everything You Need To Know About Type 1 Diabetes

By Author: Jessica Cristina
Total Articles: 20
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Diabetes Mellitus, or diabetes, is one of the most vivacious chronic health conditions affecting people of all ages worldwide. It occurs when the blood glucose (blood sugar) level is too high for a very long time.

Blood glucose (derived from the food we eat) is nothing but a powerhouse of energy, which should be transported to all the cells for the body to function properly. Insulin, a hormone secreted by pancreatic beta cells, is responsible for the distribution of glucose throughout the body. However, when the body is not able to produce enough insulin or manage it effectively, glucose stays and accumulates in the blood. As it does not reach the cells, the glucose level rises in the blood, leading to diabetes.

Diabetes is categorized into type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. If you’re wondering what is type 1 diabetes, it is a condition wherein the pancreatic beta cells are mistakenly destroyed by the body’s immune system. As a result, insulin production is affected, and the glucose is not ...
... able to reach all the cells of the body, resulting in type 1 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas is not able to produce and utilize insulin to its best levels. Gestational diabetes only occurs in pregnant women as they experience high blood sugar levels, especially during the third trimester of pregnancy.

What causes type 1 diabetes?

Although type 1 diabetes has been prevalent for most of the time now, its exact cause is still not known. Doctors, caregivers, and medical specialists are still not able to determine what causes type 1 diabetes. However, a few risk factors like genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, and environmental factors can be possible triggers for type 1 diabetes.

How to know if you have type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes symptoms are often but they can become severe if not noticed in the early stages. Some of the most vital warning signs of type 1 diabetes include increased thirst and appetite, frequent urination, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, tummy pain, unintended weight loss, blurred vision, and fatigue.

On the other hand, doctors have found some emergency type 1 diabetes symptoms as well. These signs can range from shaking and rapid breathing to fruity-smelling breath and unconsciousness as well.

Can it be treated?

Yes, type 1 diabetes can be treated. Once the above signs and symptoms are noticed, it is recommended to consult with your doctor or caregiver for timely treatment so that further complications can be averted.

Following the symptoms, doctors suggest to go for a diagnostic test for type 1 diabetes. Based on the severity of the condition and other factors, doctors prescribe suitable insulin therapy along with necessary dietary and lifestyle modifications to control blood sugar levels.

What if diabetes is left untreated?

If type 1 diabetes treatment and prevention is delayed or left on its own, the increased blood glucose would lead kidney diseases, eye problems, nerve damage, foot ulcers, heart diseases, and stroke as well.