What is Type 1 Diabetes? – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic autoimmune condition in which your pancreas does not produce any insulin. Insulin, in turn, is a protein that serves as the main anabolic hormone. Essentially, the primary role of this peptide hormone is to regulate your blood sugar levels.  

Without insulin, your body cannot move glucose from the blood into your cells, which means it cannot be used to produce energy and it will continue to build up in the bloodstream (hyperglycemia). Moreover, high levels of glucose in your blood could result in serious organ damage.  

Something to consider is that it is less common than Type 2 diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 5 to 10% of people with diabetes hare diagnosed with Type 1.  

Causes 

The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes remains unknown. However, medics and health professionals suggest that it is triggered by an autoimmune reaction in which your body mistakenly “attacks” itself. So, your immune system, which typically fights off diseases and infections, may destroy the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. 

Others have theorized that external environmental factors and exposure to viruses may be the cause, as well as genetics. The latter stems from the observation that certain genes make some people more likely to develop Type 1 diabetes. Alas, simply having those inherited traits does not guarantee that an individual will develop the condition. 

Symptoms 

Type 1 diabetes symptoms may appear suddenly. These include: 

• Frequent urination, particularly at night 

• Frequent infections in the skin, urinary tract, or vagina 

• Unexplained weight loss 

• Fatigue 

• Increased hunger, especially after eating 

• Blurry vision 

• Dry mouth 

• Irritability or abrupt mood swings 

• Bedwetting (in children) 

• Heavy, labored breathing (Kussmaul respiration) 

These typically disappear or are drastically minimized when the patient starts taking insulin and gets their condition under control.  

Patients with diabetes could also develop more severe complications, such as: 

• Kidney damage (nephropathy) 

• Heart and blood vessel disease 

• Eye damage 

• Foot damage 

• Nerve damage (neuropathy) 

Some symptoms that may be signs of an emergency are: rapid breathing, shaking and confusion, abdominal pain, loss of consciousness, loss of appetite, high body temperature, nausea or vomiting, and a fruity smell to your breath. 

Risk Factors 

As stated above, the causes for this condition are unknown. However, there are still some factors that could raise your risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. The primary risk factors are: 

• Age: Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes generally develop faster in younger people than older adults. Although this condition affects people of all ages, it appears in two main peaks. These are in children between 4 and 7, and between ages 10 and 14. 

• Genetics: Certain inherited traits increase the risk, although merely possessing those genes does not ensure that you will develop Type 1 diabetes. 

Diagnosis & Treatment 

Before you begin treatment, your doctor needs to confirm that you indeed have diabetes. Testing for Type 1 diabetes involves a simple blood test and may be performed at a clinic, pharmacy, or your physician’s office. If you test positive, you need to begin treatment as early as possible so that it does not become a life-threatening condition. 

After the diagnosis, you need to regularly visit your provider to test your glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels. A1C is a hemoglobin linked to your blood sugar levels. Your doctor will give you a numerical range that should stay within. 

Moreover, your provider will likely start your treatment by giving you two shots of insulin, though this number may increase. Once you start taking these shots, you need to continue injecting insulin every day. To complement your treatment, you should also adjust your activity levels and diet as necessary. 

Visit our Recipes page for tasty and nutritious meals to balance your diet and help regulate your blood sugar. And remember - diabetes cannot be cured, but with proper treatment you can lead a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.