Type 1 Diabetes: Understanding the condition and its causes.

If you have Type 1 diabetes or just don’t know what it is, we will guide you right from the beginning to the end, no matter where you are. Let’s begin by understanding what diabetes really is.

Diabetes is a chronic disease (long-lasting) characterized by a lack of insulin that affects how the body processes food and turns it into energy. When you eat food, it breaks it down into sugar (glucose) and releases it into your bloodstream. A high blood sugar level signals your pancreas to release insulin. This is so that glucose can enter your cells and be used as energy. Insulin acts as a key to blood sugar entry. 

What if your body fails to produce sufficient insulin and the cells do not consume all the glucose? A person with diabetes does not have enough insulin or cannot utilize it effectively. Due to this high blood sugar remains in the bloodstream for extended periods. Over time, this can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney problems.

Is there only one type of diabetes or are there other types as well? Let’s see. Three types of Diabetes are: 

• Type 1 Diabetes
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Gestational diabetes (which occurs during pregnancy).

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease (in which your body attacks itself accidentally). Children, teens, and young adults often get diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. It is estimated that 5-10% of diabetics have type 1 diabetes. It develops quickly, so if you have it, you’ll have to take insulin every day.

Causes of Type 1 Diabetes

In the age of the internet, where so much information is readily available, and individuals are doctors themselves, we must find out the underlying cause of the disease.

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. The immune system usually destroys insulin-producing cells by fighting harmful bacteria and viruses. Genetics, viruses, and other environmental factors may also contribute to the disease. Insulin is produced by beta cells in the pancreas, which are located below and behind the stomach. Insulin transports blood sugar (glucose) into cells, which can then store and use it for energy. 

Unless there is enough insulin in the body, signs of high blood sugar build up in the bloodstream instead of being absorbed into the cells. This buildup is described as hyperglycemia symptoms. The body is not able to use this glucose for energy, leading to the symptoms of type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes: Signs and Symptoms

There is no denying that Prevention is better than Cure. We really need to find the early signs and symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes so that we can take action at the right time.

Hyperglycemia symptoms or high blood sugar symptoms can occasionally occur in people with type 1 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Those with recent strokes, heart attacks, or suffering from severe ill health can also suffer from it. As a result of the lack of insulin, signs, and symptoms of hyperglycemia occurs when normal blood glucose levels are too high, which cannot be used by the muscles as energy, so the glucose is lost in the urine and the body becomes dehydrated.

Typical symptoms include:

• Feeling thirsty
• Headache
• Blurry Vision
• Fatigue
• Weight loss and muscle loss
• Persistent infections like thrush
• More frequent urination at night
• Constantly feeling tired

Diabetes Treatment

You don’t need to worry if you suffer from Type 1 diabetes or are displaying signs and symptoms. Despite the fact that Type 1 Diabetes cannot be cured, it can be prevented and treated early. However, controlling your signs of high blood sugar and maintaining your normal blood glucose levels is necessary to prevent health problems from developing.

In the event that you’re diagnosed with this, your doctor will refer you to a diabetes care team for treatment and monitoring. Your body won’t produce insulin, so you’ll need to take insulin regularly and keep your glucose levels normal. Here you’ll learn how to inject insulin based on your carb intake and how active you are and what your fasting sugar level is based on your blood glucose monitor.

It’s hard to know what insulin injection is perfect for you. Insulin comes in several forms, but everyone with type 1 diabetes needs insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels.

• The rapid-acting type of insulin shots starts working within 15 minutes, peaks one hour later and continues for at least two to four hours.
• The regular and short-acting insulin shots work within 30 minutes, peaking between 2 and 3 hours, and last for 3 to 6 hours.
• The intermediate-acting insulin shots take 2 to 4 hours to reach your bloodstream, reach their peak within 4 to 12 hours, and last for 12 to 18 hours.
• The long-acting shots take several hours to enter your system, lasting for about 24 hours after being administered.

Diabetes Management

Besides insulin injections and pumps, there are a few other options for treating diabetes:

• The islet cell transplantation procedure involves implanting healthy insulin-producing cells from the pancreas of a deceased donor into the pancreas of someone who has type 1 diabetes as a means of treating their disease
• Only a few centres of excellence are offering the possibility of performing a complete pancreas transplant at the moment, which is a relatively rare procedure.

What’s the first thing doctors recommend whatever the disease? Yeah, you’re right. Exercise and healthy eating. It is important to exercise but it isn’t as easy as running. You have to balance your insulin dose with your food intake with any activity you do, even simple things around the house, because exercise affects your normal blood glucose levels.

Having type 1 diabetes requires careful attention to your health, keeping a check on your glucose monitor, and or eating carbs to prevent too low insulin levels. You will be less likely to develop further complications if you take care of your health.