What is Type 1 – Diabetes?

What is Type 1 – Diabetes?
Diabetes can be categorized into 2 types:
Type 1 – Diabetes:
Although it is much less common than Type 2 – Diabetes, Type 1 – Diabetes still affects over 2 million people in the UK alone.We get glucose (sugar) from food. It gives us energy and helps our cells to function properly. Type 1 – Diabetes develops when there is an excessive amount of glucose in blood (and your body stops making a pancreatic generated hormone called insulin which keeps your blood glucose levels under control). Too much glucose can damage your blood cells over time, make you feel ill, and lead to extremely serious medical problems.
Type 1 – Diabetes generally occurs in children of young adults.
Type 2 – Diabetes:
Type 2 – Diabetes is different because it occurs in people over 40 years of age and develops gradually over time. Cells resist (or reject) the sufficient quantity of insulin pancreas creates, and so therefore fail to be stimulated by it. This has knock-on effect which causes the insulin generating cells to become exhausted and stop functioning properly.
This article will focus upon Type 1 – Diabetes and seek to explain the impact it has on people’s lives.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Type 1 – Diabetes include: A persistent, raging thirst a need to pass urine frequently fatigue weight loss muscle wasting problems with vision (images can appear blurred)constipation skin infections itchiness and irritation around the penis or vagina regular bouts of thrush causes
As we have seen, Type 1 – Diabetes develops when your body stops producing sufficient amounts of insulin to keep your blood glucose levels under control. A lack of insulin means that the glucose is not dispersed naturally and evenly to into your cells through your bloodstream.
It is not known why the body fails to produce enough insulin in some people but does in others, although one theory suggests that is may be due to a problem with the immune system – possibly and autoimmune reaction.
Other suggested causes of Type 1 – Diabetes include: Viral or bacterial infection Exposure to cow’s milk at a very young age (i.e. during infancy) Environmental problems, exposure to dangerous chemical toxins in some foods also, some people may have a genetic predisposition to developing Type 1 – Diabetes. This means that condition may have been passed down from a previous generation within the effected person’s family.
Diagnosis
If you are suffering from the aforementioned symptoms and think that you may be diabetic, arrange to make an appointment with your GP. After taking your medical history, he or she will ask you some questions about your symptoms and then make a confirmed diagnosis by requesting a urine sample from you. You will then be referred to specialist diabetes care team.
Treatment
Despite worldwide medical research into Type 1 – Diabetes, as yet the condition cannot be cured. However, to help keep your blood glucose levels under control you will be shown by your specialist care team how to administer insulin injections, so that you can then do them by yourself.Many individuals with Type 1 – Diabetes usually have 2 or 3 injections each day. You will also be shown how to monitor your blood glucose levels at home so that you know exactly how much insulin you need to keep your blood glucose levels under control.
As well as insulin injections, try to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet which is low in fat, high in fibre, and includes plenty of fruit and vegetables.
*The author of this blog is not a medical professional and this article does not contain professional medical advice. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of the contents of this article. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.