What is type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Insulin is the hormone that is needed to allow sugar, or glucose, to enter the cells and produce energy. Type 1 diabetes used to be known as juvenile diabetes because it typically occurs in adolescence. However, it can develop at any age. Continue reading this article to learn more about type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
There are a range of symptoms that occur in diabetes type 1. Parents, in particular, who have a family history of diabetes, should be aware of these symptoms. This is because genetics do play a role in this disease, and the earlier it is diagnosed the better it is for a child who might be afflicted with the disease. If you notice any of the following type 1 diabetes symptoms, be sure to consult with your doctor. The symptoms that manifest themselves in type 1 of diabetes include:
Increased thirst and frequent urination – When excess sugar is built up in your bloodstream, fluid is pulled from your tissues. This leaves you thirsty; therefore, you drink and urinate more often.
Extreme hunger – In type diabetes 1, there is not enough insulin to move sugar into your cells. So, your muscles and organs become depleted of energy. This causes a hunger which is so intense that it may even persist after you have eaten.
Weight loss – Without sugar supplies, your muscle tissues and fat stores shrink. Therefore, even though you may be eating more than usual, you may still be losing weight.
Fatigue – With your cells being deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable.
Blurred vision – When your blood sugar levels are high, fluid is pulled from your tissue. When this includes the lenses of your eyes, it affects your ability to focus clearly.
Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
Some people may ask “What is type 1 diabetes mellitus?” Type 1 diabetes mellitus is just another term for type 1 diabetes. ‘Diabetes mellitus’ is the technical term which describes all forms of diabetes. Therefore, type 1 diabetes is type 1 of diabetes mellitus.
Causes of Type 1 Diabetes
What are type 1 diabetes causes? How do you get diabetes type 1? These are common questions that many people ask, and they are important to know the answers to. Most of the time, type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune deficiency. In other words, the beta cells that produce insulin are slowly destroyed by the body’s own immune system. It is unknown what triggers the body to attack itself, but studies have shown it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Some research has also suggested that viruses have triggered the disease in people who are already genetically susceptible to type 1 diabetes. Coxsackie virus, mumps, and congenital rubella epidemics have been linked to type 1 diabetes. Other conditions that have caused the disease are pancreatitis, pancreatic surgery, and certain industrial chemical. Certain drugs have also been known to cause the disease and so have rare genetic disorders.
Diabetes Type 1 VS Type 2
What are type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and what is the difference? Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnose before the age of 40. It is caused because the body does not produce enough insulin. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin injections in order to move the sugar from their bloodstream.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the insulin that the body produces is less efficient at moving the sugar out of the bloodstream. This usually occurs because the cells have formed some sort of resistance to the insulin. In any case, the result is high blood sugar levels that can be harmful to the body and causes complications later on if left untreated.
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