Types of Diabetes: Type 1
(Juvenile diabetes/Insulin-dependant diabetes):
Both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes share the same common feature of high blood glucose and the complications that are caused by diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, however, is almost a completely different disease.
Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin dependant diabetes, accounts for about 800,000 - 1 million of the 18 million cases of diabetes in the United States, or 5% - 10%. Type 1 diabetes used to be known as juvenile diabetes, because it was once thought to only occur in children or young adults under the age of 30. However, this disease is now showing up in both children and adults. Type 1 diabetes is the most severe form of diabetes. It is not caused by obesity, bad eating habits, or lack of exercise. It is also not caused by eating too much sugar, which is a common misconception about type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is caused by an autoimmune attack on the body. Examples of other autoimmune diseases are multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
In the autoimmune process of type 1 diabetes, the immune system becomes confused and attacks and destroys the pancreas's beta cells which produce insulin. The destruction of these beta cells can take months to years. As the beta cells are destroyed, the pancreas stops producing insulin, the hormone needed to break down the glucose necessary for survival.
Both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes share the same common feature of high blood glucose and the complications that are caused by diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, however, is almost a completely different disease.
Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin dependant diabetes, accounts for about 800,000 - 1 million of the 18 million cases of diabetes in the United States, or 5% - 10%. Type 1 diabetes used to be known as juvenile diabetes, because it was once thought to only occur in children or young adults under the age of 30. However, this disease is now showing up in both children and adults. Type 1 diabetes is the most severe form of diabetes. It is not caused by obesity, bad eating habits, or lack of exercise. It is also not caused by eating too much sugar, which is a common misconception about type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is caused by an autoimmune attack on the body. Examples of other autoimmune diseases are multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
In the autoimmune process of type 1 diabetes, the immune system becomes confused and attacks and destroys the pancreas's beta cells which produce insulin. The destruction of these beta cells can take months to years. As the beta cells are destroyed, the pancreas stops producing insulin, the hormone needed to break down the glucose necessary for survival.
CURE
People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin externally--through multiple daily injections or an insulin pump--in order to live. Insulin becomes the type 1 diabetic's life support and is just a band-aid to their condition. Insulin is not a cure for diabetes.
Food and exercise must be balanced because of the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Some doctors, even today, still discourage people with type 1 diabetes from exercise because of the risk of hypoglycemia. This risk can easily send a person with type 1 diabetes into a seizure, coma, or even death. However, these doctors should know that with today's technology and advances in medicine, exercise is possible as well as benefiting in a type 1's care.
Proper care means monitoring blood sugars and treating high blood sugars and low blood sugars.
People that develop type 1 diabetes are usually genetically predisposed, develop antibodies specific to type 1 diabetes, and eventually develop type 1 after exposed to an environmental trigger. Contrary to the triggers that brings on type 2 diabetes (such as obesity, poor eating habits, insulin resistance, and lack of exercise), type 1's trigger is not controlled by lifestyle.
One that is predisposed to type 1 diabetes comes in contact with something in the environment that triggers the destruction of the beta cells which produce insulin. Scientists believe that this trigger may be a virus. Scientists have identified several viruses as possible triggers. These viruses could be as simple as a cold.
Food and exercise must be balanced because of the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Some doctors, even today, still discourage people with type 1 diabetes from exercise because of the risk of hypoglycemia. This risk can easily send a person with type 1 diabetes into a seizure, coma, or even death. However, these doctors should know that with today's technology and advances in medicine, exercise is possible as well as benefiting in a type 1's care.
Proper care means monitoring blood sugars and treating high blood sugars and low blood sugars.
People that develop type 1 diabetes are usually genetically predisposed, develop antibodies specific to type 1 diabetes, and eventually develop type 1 after exposed to an environmental trigger. Contrary to the triggers that brings on type 2 diabetes (such as obesity, poor eating habits, insulin resistance, and lack of exercise), type 1's trigger is not controlled by lifestyle.
One that is predisposed to type 1 diabetes comes in contact with something in the environment that triggers the destruction of the beta cells which produce insulin. Scientists believe that this trigger may be a virus. Scientists have identified several viruses as possible triggers. These viruses could be as simple as a cold.
Some of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes are frequent urination, bed wetting, weight loss, increase in thirst and hunger, vomiting, weakness, and coma. Type 1 diabetes often disguises itself with symptoms of a really bad flu.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed when the person develops ketoacidosis. During ketoacidosis the blood becomes acidic and is poisonous to the body. The person becomes extremely sick and if not treated immediately the person could become unconscious and die.
Along with all the complications of diabetes, a type 1 diabetic's lifespan is also reduced. The only cure for type 1 diabetes is a pancreas transplant. This transplant is usually done with a kidney transplant after a type 1's kidneys fail from the disease. The person who receives the transplant must then be on powerful immune suppressant drugs for the rest of their life. This surgery, however, has a poor prognosis. 1 to 2 out of every 10 people who acquire a pancreas transplant die within a year. A type 1 diabetic should expect their condition to be for the rest of their life unless a better cure is found. There is still much research is being done for possible cures such as islet cell transplantation and stem cell research.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed when the person develops ketoacidosis. During ketoacidosis the blood becomes acidic and is poisonous to the body. The person becomes extremely sick and if not treated immediately the person could become unconscious and die.
Along with all the complications of diabetes, a type 1 diabetic's lifespan is also reduced. The only cure for type 1 diabetes is a pancreas transplant. This transplant is usually done with a kidney transplant after a type 1's kidneys fail from the disease. The person who receives the transplant must then be on powerful immune suppressant drugs for the rest of their life. This surgery, however, has a poor prognosis. 1 to 2 out of every 10 people who acquire a pancreas transplant die within a year. A type 1 diabetic should expect their condition to be for the rest of their life unless a better cure is found. There is still much research is being done for possible cures such as islet cell transplantation and stem cell research.
