Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, which has also been named juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a condition whereby the pancreas does not produce a sufficient amount of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is required in order to convert sugar (glucose) into energy. Type 1 diabetes typically appears during childhood or adolescence, although it can develop at any age.

Glucose is a main source of energy for the cells in our bodies which make up muscles and other tissues. It comes from two major sources, which are the food that you eat and your liver. It is during digestion that sugar is absorbed by the bloodstream. It is then normal for sugar to enter the cells along with the help of insulin.

When you eat, your pancreas produces insulin into the bloodstream. During the circulation of insulin, microscopic doors are opened in order to allow sugar to enter your cells. The amount of sugar in your bloodstream is lowered by insulin. As your level of blood sugar drops, so does the production of insulin from your pancreas.

One organ in our bodies that acts as a glucose storage and manufacturing center is the liver. When levels of insulin are low, for example, when you have not eaten for some time, your liver releases the stored glucose in order to keep your glucose levels within the required range.

Your immune system, which normally fights harmful bacteria and viruses, attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas which usually produce insulin when having type 1 diabetes. This of course, leaves your body with little or not insulin. Therefore, sugar will build up in your bloodstream.

There are various symptoms of type 1 diabetes to look for. These symptoms may seem harmless initially, but it is important to seek medical advice if you think that you may be experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination

You may experience increased thirst. This is because excess sugar it built up in your bloodstream, which causes fluid to be pulled from your tissues. As a result of this you may drink more, which will result in more frequent urination.

• Extreme hunger

Your muscles and organs will become depleted of energy without the sufficient amount of insulin to move sugar into your cells. This will result in you feeling extremely hungry, which may still persist after you have eaten. The sugar in your food will not reach your energy-starved tissues without insulin.

• Weight Loss

Even though you may be eating more in order to relieve hunger, you may experience weight loss, which can sometimes happen very quickly. Your muscle tissues and fat stores may shrink without the energy sugar supplies.

• Fatigue

You will certainly become tired and irritable if your cells are deprived of sugar.

There are various blood tests available for screening diabetes such as:

• Random blood sugar test, which is a blood sample that can be taken at any random time.

• Fasting blood sugar test, which is whereby a blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast.

There are both short and long-term complications with type 1 diabetes. It is possible for type 1 diabetes to affect major organs in your body such as the heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. You can dramatically reduce the risk of complications by ensuring that your blood sugar level is close to normal.

Some of the short-term complications include:

• High blood sugar (Hyperglycemia),
• Increased ketones in your urine,
• Low blood sugar.

And some of the long-term complications can include:

• Heart and blood vessel disease,
• Nerve damage,
• Kidney damage,
• Eye damage,
• Foot damage,
• Skin and mouth conditions, and
• Osteoporosis.

The treatment of type 1 diabetes is a life long commitment of monitoring blood sugar, taking insulin, maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods and undertaking regular exercise. It is essential that your blood sugar levels are kept within a level as close to normal as possible in order to delay or prevent complications.

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