The complete guide to type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an extremely prevalent disease which is evident from the fact that 8.7 million people suffer from it worldwide. Several factors can cause type of diabetes including genes, secondary lifestyle and lack of physical activity. As this debilitating disease continues to spread widely, it is important to create type 1 diabetes resources accessible to all. This will ensure that more and more people can be made aware of how to prevent it or treat it (if they already suffer from it). This article aims to do just that, let’s begin.

What is type 1 diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when there is too much glucose or sugar in the blood. A blood glucose level, while fasting, of 99 mg/dl is considered to be normal, 100-120 mg/dl is pre-diabetic while above 126 mg/dl is diabetic.

Diabetes is of two types- type 1 and type 1. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little to no insulin which is needed to regulate blood sugar and thus glucose levels in the blood remain high.

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, affects how the body processes blood sugar. In this case the pancreas produces optimal insulin but it is not effectively used by the body to maintain blood glucose levels.

What are the causes of Type 1 diabetes?

Numerous type 1 diabetes resources are available but all draw the same conclusion about the cause of it i.e. it remains unknown. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known however genes and viruses or exposure to other such environmental factors are believed to be the main cause.

In type 1 diabetes pancreas do not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. When not produced, sugar in the bloodstream remains unregulated and causes spikes.

What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are as follows:

• Feeling more thirsty
• Feeling more hungry
• Urinating more
• Sudden weight loss
• Blurry vision
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Numbness or tingling of hands
• Dry mouth
• Shortness of breath
• Bedwetting in children

How is type 1 diabetes diagnosed?

If you feel any of the above-mentioned symptoms, consult a doctor. The medical practitioner will conduct tests like urine test, glucose test etc to determine if your pancreas is producing optimum insulin.

What is the treatment of type 1 diabetes?

Patients with type 1 diabetes can live long, healthy and fulfilling lives by taking proper medication and nutrition. If you are diagnosed with it, the doctor will prescribe you insulin shots that are to be taken at specific times of the day. Since the body isn’t producing insulin, one must inject it externally.

Several types of insulin such as rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting and long-acting are prescribed based on an individual’s condition. Most insulin comes in glass bottles known as vials which are injected in the body using syringes. There are also pre-filled pen options available.

Along with medication it is important to bring about healthy lifestyle changes in your life. Exercise is a great way to treat type 1 diabetes. However, insulin doses, nutrition and exercise have to be carried out in harmony to ensure the best results. For example, exercising on an empty stomach may be a bad idea as it can drop insulin levels and lead to unconsciousness.

Always be prepared, keep a snack handy, some emergency insulin doses with you at all times and gain as much knowledge about the disease as possible. After all, knowledge is power.