Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic ailment that onsets when the pancreas produces either little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas. It helps the body to absorb and utilize glucose. It also helps in storing of fats and building up of proteins. If insulin is not there the blood glucose levels start to become higher than required. Treatment of type 1 diabetes is carried out with the help of insulin. Insulin treatment, self care and lifestyle adjustment helps in controlling the levels of blood sugar and lowers down the risk of diabetes related complications. Most of the times type 1 diabetes starts in early childhood; however it can develop at any age. In Europe, Canada and United States type 1 diabetes accounts for around 5 to 10 % of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes - Impact It is a frightening experience to be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and is common to have queries about what is the cause, what are its implications in the long terms and what are its affects on everyday's life.  After the diagnosis, most patients remain in an emotional trauma for the first few months. The newly diagnosed diabetic, along with his family, tries to learn as much as he can so that he can learn living with diabetes. He gathers as much information as he can about diabetes linked self care; like blood glucose monitoring, symptoms of low blood sugar etc. Despite the risk linked with type 1 diabetes; most patients live a normal active lives and keep on enjoying the activities and foods they used to have before diagnosing with this lifelong ailment. Causes Of Diabetes Type 1 Type 1 diabetes develops when the immune system of the body destroys its own insulin producing cells. These are the beta cells of the pancreas which are responsible for producing insulin. This malfunctioning of immunity system is termed an autoimmune response. The exact cause of this malfunctioning of immune system is still being studied. This process of destruction of beta cells takes place for many years or months without leaving any sign of diabetes. High blood glucose levels and its linked symptoms starts to onset when around 90% of these cells that produces insulin have been completely destroyed. Type 1 diabetes generally onsets in those who have a family history of this type of diabetes but sometimes it also develops in those who do not have any family history of diabetes. Sometimes some environmental factor like certain viral attack trigger this autoimmune response. Diagnosis Of Type 1 Diabetes The diagnosis of diabetes type 1 is made based on the symptoms of diabetes and blood screening. Symptoms Of Diabetes Type 1More common symptom of type 1 diabetes include

• Unquenchable thirst
• An urge to urinate frequently
• Feeling tired and exhausted
• Sudden weight loss
• Blurriness in vision

If these initial signs of diabetes are ignored they may lead to serious diabetic symptoms termed diabetic ketoacidosis. People suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis have signs of high blood sugar along with vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, lack of concentrating ability and sometimes coma. Diabetic ketoacidosis is an emergency medical condition which must be promptly treated. Type 1 Diabetes versus Type 2 Diabetes It is easy to differentiate with the help of the symptoms whether a person is suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If the situation is not clear then medical team must treat the patient as he is a type 1 diabetic; unless the results of the blood test show a clearer picture. Treatment Of Diabetes Type 1 Treatment of type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections along with the lifestyle adjustment. This treatment of diabetes requires a team approach which includes the patient, his family as well as friends. Complications of Diabetes Type 1 Keeping the level of blood sugar in the required range reduces the risk of long term complications of diabetes. This means that diabetic patient has to check blood sugar level several times daily. This monitoring helps him to adjust the dose of insulin and monitor the quantity of the food. Type 1 diabetic patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, kidney problems and eye problems.