Diabetes Type 1

Diabetes has several types.  One of them is called Diabetes Type 1 or Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM).  It is also sometimes called as Juvenile onset diabetes.  Insulin treatment is always required in this type of diabetes.  It can happen at any age but most frequently in children, adolescents or in early adulthood.

Diabetes Type 1 is a form of diabetes that happens as soon as the blood sugar level tends to elevate.  The blood stops producing insulin which in turn causes the blood sugar to rise.  This type of diabetes destroys the beta cells of the pancreas that produces insulin, resulting to increased blood sugar and urine glucose.

The classic symptoms of Diabetes Type 1 include polyuria or frequent urination, polydipsia or increased thirst, polyphagia or increased hunger, and weight loss.

People suffering from this type are treated using insulin, without it the patient will most probably not survive.  There is no real cure for this disease so treatment must be continued indefinitely.  Insulin is commonly administered through injection, but devices such as insulin pumps and inhaled insulin are also available.  However, the treatment can be burdensome for it requires awareness, training, proper care, and discipline.

Although the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, it is believed to be immunological in origin.  Evidence show that diet plays a big part in the development of this disease.  Genetics is also considered to be a huge factor.  Diabetes, in general, can be hereditary.  So if most of your relatives have contracted this disease, the greater the risk for you to acquire it as well.

The environment can also strongly influence the development of this type.  Like in the case of identical twins, when one twin acquired Diabetes Type 1 , the other only had 30-50% of type 1 at that time.  Despite possessing the same genome, one twin had the disease while the other didn’t.  This only shows that aside from the genetic factors, ecological factors could also affect the appearance of the disease.

If not treated properly, type 1 diabetes could lead to certain complications.  Low blood sugar levels could result to seizures or periods of unconsciousness.  Some even fall into coma called diabetic ketoacidosis caused by hypoglycemia.  While high blood sugar levels could lead to increased fatigue and long-term damage to certain organs such as eyes and joints.

Glucose monitors have been developed and sold in the market.  These monitors alert diabetics when they have dangerously high or low blood sugar levels.  But there are some technical limitations to these devices so they are not commonly used.