An autoimmune disorder, type 1 diabetes results from the body’s immune system attacking the pancreatic insulin-producing cells. Insulin, the hormone required to control blood sugar, is thus totally lacking. People with Type 1 must so control their blood sugar levels by depending on lifetime insulin treatment.
Type 1 is most usually identified in children, teenagers, and young adults even though it can occur at any age. Unlike Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 is not associated with lifestyle choices such food or exercise.
Type 1 diabetes’s causes:
In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system targets and kills the beta cells in the pancreas—which generate insulin—mistakenly Though the precise origin of this autoimmune reaction is yet unknown, environmental elements and genes are thought to be involved. Though additional study is needed, several possible triggers include viral infections or other immune-related elements.
Unlike Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes is not brought on by lifestyle decisions such weight increase or diet. Mostly driven by a person’s genetic composition, it occasionally has outside environmental triggers.
| Fact | Detail |
| Autoimmune Condition | The body attacks its own insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. |
| Age of Onset | Most commonly diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. |
| Treatment | Requires lifelong insulin therapy; no cure currently exists. |
| Symptoms | Rapid onset, including extreme thirst, frequent urination, weight loss |
| Cause | Combination of genetics and environmental triggers. |
Symptoms
The symptoms of Type 1 often develop rapidly, sometimes over a few weeks. Since the body is no longer producing insulin, blood sugar levels rise unchecked, leading to the following common symptoms:
- Frequent urination: High blood sugar causes the kidneys to filter out excess sugar, leading to more urine production.
- Extreme thirst: Because of increased urination, the body becomes dehydrated, causing intense thirst.
- Weight loss: Despite increased hunger, people with Type 1 may lose weight as their body cannot use sugar for energy and starts breaking down fat and muscle instead.
- Fatigue: Without glucose being properly absorbed into the cells, people feel unusually tired.
- Blurred vision: High blood sugar levels can affect the lenses of the eyes, leading to blurred vision.
These symptoms can appear suddenly, and because of the quick onset, it’s important to seek medical help immediately if these signs appear, especially in young children.
Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes: Lifelong Insulin Therapy
Because the pancreas in people with Type 1 diabetes no longer produces insulin, insulin therapy is the main treatment. This involves administering insulin either through injections or an insulin pump. There are different types of insulin, such as:
- Rapid-acting insulin: Works quickly after a meal to help regulate blood sugar spikes.
- Long-acting insulin: Provides a steady supply of insulin over several hours to maintain baseline blood sugar levels.
In addition to insulin therapy, people with Type 1 diabetes must carefully monitor their blood sugar levels using a glucose meter or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to ensure they stay within a safe range.
Managing Life with Type 1
- Managing Type 1 diabetes requires constant vigilance. Besides insulin therapy, people with Type 1 diabetes need to:
- Monitor blood sugar levels regularly.
- Follow a balanced diet to avoid blood sugar spikes and dips.
- Incorporate physical activity, while carefully adjusting insulin and food intake to prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- Educate themselves about complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition caused by high blood sugar.