Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas produces too little insulin to regulate blood sugar levels appropriately.
Type 1 diabetes, often called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes.
In type 1 diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas produce little or no insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter body cells. Once glucose enters a cell, it is used as fuel.
Without adequate insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of going into the cells. The body is unable to use this glucose for energy despite high levels in the bloodstream, leading to increased hunger.
In addition, the high levels of glucose in the blood causes the patient to urinate more, which in turn causes excessive thirst. Within 5 to 10 years after diagnosis, the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are completely destroyed, and no more insulin is produced.
Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but it usually starts in people younger than 30. Symptoms are usually severe and occur rapidly.
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 3% of all new cases of diabetes each year. There is 1 new case per every 7,000 children per year. New cases are less common among adults older than 20.
Without adequate insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of going into the cells. The body is unable to use this glucose for energy despite high levels in the bloodstream, leading to increased hunger.
In addition, the high levels of glucose in the blood causes the patient to urinate more, which in turn causes excessive thirst. Within 5 to 10 years after diagnosis, the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are completely destroyed, and no more insulin is produced.
Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but it usually starts in people younger than 30. Symptoms are usually severe and occur rapidly.
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 3% of all new cases of diabetes each year. There is 1 new case per every 7,000 children per year. New cases are less common among adults older than 20.
Symptoms
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Weight loss despite increased appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
abdominal pain
Fatigue
Absence of menstruation
Increased urination
Weight loss despite increased appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
abdominal pain
Fatigue
Absence of menstruation
Signs and tests
Urinalysis shows glucose and ketone bodies in the urine, but a blood test is required for diagnosis
Fasting blood glucose is 126 mg/dL or higher
Random (nonfasting) blood glucose exceeds 200 mg/dL (this must be confimed with a fasting test)
Insulin test (low or undetectable level of insulin)
C-peptide test (low or undetectable level of the protein C-peptide, a by-product of insulin production)
Fasting blood glucose is 126 mg/dL or higher
Random (nonfasting) blood glucose exceeds 200 mg/dL (this must be confimed with a fasting test)
Insulin test (low or undetectable level of insulin)
C-peptide test (low or undetectable level of the protein C-peptide, a by-product of insulin production)
Treatment
At diagnosis, the immediate goals of treatment are to treat diabetic ketoacidosis (also called DKA) and high blood glucose levels. Because of the sudden onset and severity of symptoms in type 1 diabetes, treatment for newly diagnosed people may involve hospitalization.
The long-term goals of treatment are to prolong life, reduce symptoms, and prevent diabetes-related complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and amputation of limbs.
These goals are accomplished through education, insulin use, meal planning and weight control, exercise, foot care, and careful self-testing of blood glucose levels.
The long-term goals of treatment are to prolong life, reduce symptoms, and prevent diabetes-related complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and amputation of limbs.
These goals are accomplished through education, insulin use, meal planning and weight control, exercise, foot care, and careful self-testing of blood glucose levels.
Diet
Meal planning for type 1 diabetes requires consistency to allow food and insulin to work together to regulate blood glucose levels. If meals and insulin are out of balance, extreme variations in blood glucose can occur.
Physical Activity
Regular exercise is especially important for the person with diabetes, as it helps control the amount of sugar in the blood and helps burn excess calories and fat to achieve optimal weight.
Before people with diabetes begin any exercise program, they should obtain medical approval. Type 1 diabetics must take special precautions before, during and after participation in intense physical activity or exercise.
Regular exercise is especially important for the person with diabetes, as it helps control the amount of sugar in the blood and helps burn excess calories and fat to achieve optimal weight.
Before people with diabetes begin any exercise program, they should obtain medical approval. Type 1 diabetics must take special precautions before, during and after participation in intense physical activity or exercise.
Self-Testing
Blood glucose monitoring is done by checking the glucose content of a small drop of blood. The testing is done on a regular basis and will inform the person with diabetes how well diet, medication, and exercise are working together to control diabetes.
The results can be used to adjust meals, activity, or medications to keep blood-sugar levels within an appropriate range. It will provide valuable information for the health care provider to suggest changes to improve care and treatment. Testing will identify high and low blood-sugar levels before serious problems develop.
Blood glucose monitoring is done by checking the glucose content of a small drop of blood. The testing is done on a regular basis and will inform the person with diabetes how well diet, medication, and exercise are working together to control diabetes.
The results can be used to adjust meals, activity, or medications to keep blood-sugar levels within an appropriate range. It will provide valuable information for the health care provider to suggest changes to improve care and treatment. Testing will identify high and low blood-sugar levels before serious problems develop.
Comments