Type 1 Diabetes: Overview
Type 1 diabetes happens when the pancreas no longer produces insulin on its own. Insulin is used by your body to break down foods into glucose for energy. Glucose affects every cell in the body, including the brain. When there is no insulin glucose cannot get into your cells and rises in the bloodstream. Type 1 diabetes can be a debilitating disease, but with education and treatment, sufferers can live a healthy life.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
Many people with diabetes don’t feel sick. Diabetes is known as a “silent killer”. The glucose necessary for energy and life doesn’t do its job due to lack of insulin. It stays in the bloodstream and can cause damage to sensitive organs. Symptoms to watch for are as follows:
- Constant Fatigue
- Increased urination
- Fluid intake increase
- Extremely hungry all the time even after eating
- Weight Loss, despite eating
- Vision changes
- Sweet fruity breath odor
There is an easy explanation for every symptoms of diabetes when you understand the relationship between insulin and glucose. Fatigue, extreme hunger and weight loss means not enough glucose in the cells. Increased thirst and urination means the body is trying to “wash out” the extra glucose. The vision changes mean the increased sugar in your blood is already damaging the tiny blood vessels in your eyes. This is why it’s important to seek medical care right away if you have these symptoms.
Type 1 Diabetes Statistics
Recent numbers show that 15,000 adults and 15,000 children a year are being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. There are 3 million people in the U.S. affected with Type 1 diabetes. The numbers are alarming. Because it is an inherited auto-immune disorder, it is more common in Native American, African American and Hispanic children, as well as, Asian children. There is also an increased risk for Type 2 diabetes among these groups.
Type 1 Diabetes Causes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disorder that causes the body to attack the pancreas. It kills the cells inside the pancreas that produce insulin. There are a few factors that cause this to happen:
- Genetic – if someone in your family has Type 1 diabetes
- Viral – Sometimes a virus can set off an auto-immune reaction.
- Environment – Exposure to chemicals, medications and lifestyle.
Scientists are not sure what exactly causes Type 1 diabetes, one proven fact is that you can’t get diabetes by eating too much sugar.
Diabetes: Type 1 or Type 2
There are two known types of diabetes. Type 1 which is auto-immune and inherited. It can come on anytime from childhood to adulthood. With Type 1 there is no insulin production by the pancreas. Sufferers are required to take insulin injections for life. Type 2 is usually acquired later in life, but can come on at anytime. With Type 2 the body still produces a small amount of insulin. Some people have enough insulin, but their body does not use it properly to convert sugar to glucose. This is called Insulin Resistance. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with diet, medications (oral) and/or insulin injections.
Type 1 Diabetes Cure
Type 1 diabetes has no cure. Some people have been able to have a transplant of the pancreas. There have been reports of success with transplants, but those who have had them have to take anti-rejection medications. Also, the transplant waiting list is about 10 years.
The key to living with Type 1 diabetes is good disease management. A few tips for preventing complications with this disease are:
- A very healthy diet, preferably on the glycemic index or diabetic exchanges
- Exercise, even just walking a few days a week
- Take all medications as prescribed by your MD
- Work with your doctor, dietician and other specialists to develop a health plan
Even without a cure for Type 1 diabetes, it can be managed with medications, diet and a healthy lifestyle.