Type 1 diabetes can be a very serious affliction especially when left untreated. Affecting people of any age, gender or race, this type of diabetes cannot be treated by diet alone.
Glucose is the body’s most basic source of energy that comes after food has been broken down. In order for the body to use glucose, it has to first work with the hormone called insulin which is naturally released by the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body produces less insulin, resulting to the heightened glucose supply in the body.
Cause and treatment
Although the reason for type 1 diabetes has already been determined, the full cause of why exactly the pancreas ceases to produce insulin is still in question. Some believe that it is a genetic predisposition, meaning people are already born with the possibility of contracting type 1 diabetes. Environmental factors are also considered while the possibility that a certain virus type attacks the pancreas is also possible.
Also called juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes, the condition is something that must be addressed for the rest of a person’s life. This means constantly taking in pills and monitoring the important factors that may cause diabetes to worsen. As the name suggests, insulin-dependent diabetes requires frequent injections of insulin to stabilize glucose use. Since the pancreas is no longer capable of supplying the right amount of insulin, then outside forces will have to take care of the job.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes
People who have relatives that suffer from type 1 diabetes should be wary of the symptoms since genetics is one of the causes eyed by science. However, seemingly healthy individuals also suffer from this affliction, creating the possibility that there is an entirely different cause for type 1 diabetes. Regardless of what it is, following are some of the symptoms one should look for in determining type 1 diabetes.
- Significant amount of weight loss.
- Constant fatigue and loss of energy as a result of glucose not being converted into usable energy.
- Blurred vision
- Constant thirst because of the large amounts of glucose in the body.
- Constant hunger.
- Irritability
- Urine production becomes more than usual.
- Frequent occurrence of infections like infection of the vagina.
- Slow to heal wounds.
When type 1 diabetes is addressed properly, it is expected that the symptoms will start to disappear and ultimately prevent complications caused by the condition.
Tests used to verify type 1 diabetes
Once these symptoms surface, it is important to go to your doctor and check blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes may be confirmed through a urine and blood test. Usually, the urine test shows high presence of glucose in the liquid. Fasting and non-fasting blood glucose is also checked out by health care professionals to detect diabetes. This is performed by asking a person to fast or avoid certain food types before being checked for their glucose levels. Glucose levels should be higher than 126 mg/dL for diabetes to be diagnosed. For non-fasting diabetes, the glucose ceiling should be at 200 mg/dL. An insulin test may also be performed.
Effects of type 1 diabetes
Diabetes is a fatal condition and thus must be addressed soon after it is diagnosed. Otherwise, more severe symptoms like sleepiness, vomiting and stomach pains may become evident.
Some known personalities who suffer from type 1 diabetes include Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers. Overtime, the disease affects other areas of the body leading to more serious complications. For example, one of the leading reasons for blindness in the U.S.A is diabetes. The unused blood sugar may block or damage the blood vessels, cutting off blood flow to the eyes. The condition is called diabetic retinopathy. Heart attack and strokes may also be caused by diabetes when left unmonitored. People who suffer from diabetes should also be extra careful of wounds since it takes a very long time for them to heal.
Type 1 diabetes lifestyle
Since the condition affects various parts of the body, type 1 diabetes sufferers would usually require a severe lifestyle change in order to cope. These include monitoring food consumption and physical activity. The type 1 diabetes diet would usually mean eating at the same time each day without varying too much on the food types. Exercises are also scheduled to keep weight within the ideal range while keeping glucose levels in the body normal. Regular check-ups are also recommended, since this medical condition can lead to severe or life-threatening complications.
Since glucose levels may change from time to time depending on a person’s lifestyle, blood sugar tests are preferably performed within timely intervals. Things like blood pressure and cholesterol levels are also checked to make sure that they are still within the normal levels for someone with type 1 diabetes.
Currently, science is looking for ways to cure and prevent the onset of diabetes type 1. Possibilities like pancreas transplant or islet transplantation are already considered but not yet perfected. Various pharmaceutical companies are also doing their best to find a cure for the affliction. However, the cure and prevention measures for type1 diabetes still alludes researchers although the treatment used today works perfectly in keeping those with type 1 diabetes thriving.