Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes is a chronic (life-long) diseases. Type 1 diabetes is a disorder of the immune system because the immune system gradually destroys all insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas, so eventually the organism becomes unable to produce insulin, which in turn leads to the inability of the organism to process sugars properly. As a result of this blood sugar levels rise significantly, which poses a danger to one's health and life.

Although Type 1 is called juvenile diabetes, it can also affect adults. There have been cases when people over forty have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Still, the primary victims of Type 1 diabetes are children. What is worrying is that children in the developed countries are more and more often diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes or with the the other, more widely-spread form of diabetes – Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is the more serious form of diabetes. This does not mean that Type 2 diabetes is harmless but still it is not so acute as Type 1. As already mentioned, Type 1 diabetes is insulin-dependent, which means that a Type 1 diabetic can't survive without the intake of insulin. In many cases treatment of Type 1 diabetes starts with a special diet, exercise and a weight loss program and only after that insulin is prescribed.

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

The symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are many and it is not always easy to guess that your child is having Type 1 diabetes. But if a child is showing even a few of the symptoms of diabetes, a consultation with a doctor is mandatory. You shouldn't worry if high sugar blood levels are the main symptom your child is showing. Sometimes teenagers (especially if they are obese) have higher levels of blood sugar, which sometimes can be a pre-diabetes stage but most often it is just nothing abnormal.

On the other hand, it is always better to be on the safe side and go to a doctor, if you see the following symptoms:

• Frequent fatigue. The lack of insulin in the body causes the glucose to go into the blood, rather than be absorbed by the cells, so the energy from the glucose can't actually be used by the body and as a result of this one feels tired.

• Excessive hunger. Since the glucose is not absorbed by the cells, the body feels hunger, even if one is eating frequently.

• Frequent urination. The glucose, which is not absorbed by the cells is transformed into urine. Since there is much more glucose that needs to be transformed into urine, your visits to the toilet will become more frequent.

• Excessive thirst. This is a direct consequence of the frequent urination.

• Weight loss. Again, because glucose is not absorbed by the body but is thrown out, you might feel hungry all the time, eat a lot and despite this you will lose weight.

• Low healing power. This is a very typical symptom of Type 1 diabetes. When you have a wound, it takes ages to heal.

• Blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, lack of menstruation in women or impotence in men. These are some of the other symptoms that are often related to diabetes, though most of them can be due to many different diseases or might not be a symptom of whatsoever disease.

Treatment of Type 1

Both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are chronic diseases, so actually they can't be cured but you can manage diabetes and live decades on end with it. Type 1 diabetes is more severe and in addition to diet and life-style changes, regular insulin intake is vital. Treatment is carried on in the form of insulin injections. One of the most important things to watch out for is to avoid complications like cardiovascular disease and stroke. But after you learn how to live with diabetes, you will see that it is not so difficult for a Type 1 diabetic to lead a normal life!