What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Signs, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

What is type 1 diabetes? Type 1 is most common in children and young adult, although it can occur at any age. The disease is equally prevalent in males and females, but more prevalent in whites than non-whites. If you have a moment, try reading the article - Who Discovered Diabetes? It is a fascinating look back in time.

This type accounts for 5-10% of all diabetes cases. Former terms for type 1 include: child onset diabetes, Juvenile diabetes, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).

Although juvenile diabetes is technically listed as a former name by many authorities, it is still commonly used, including as the name of a very dedicated research and philanthropic diabetes foundation. Click here for more Diabetes Statistics.

Type 1 is characterized as an autoimmune disease. An auto immune disease occurs when the body's immune system attacks another part of the body. In type 1, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas (specifically known as the islets of langerhans). As little or no insulin is produced, a type 1 diabetic must take insulin daily.

If you want to learn more about How Does Insulin Transfer Glucose Into Our Cells? take a look at this article.

There is no definitive cause of type 1. Various autoimmune, genetic and environmental factors are often cited. Additionally, it is thought that type 1 may be triggered by some viral infections.

The signs and  symptoms of type 1 diabetes typically develop over a very short period (weeks to months). However, certain cellular destruction can be occurring for years.

The typical symptoms include: increased thirst, increased urination, increased hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, fatigue.

Diabetes Diagnosis and insulin treatment should occur quickly after symptoms manifest themselves. If left untreated, diabetic coma, also known as diabetic ketoacidosis, can occur.

Complications from type 1 are the same as for type 2. If not properly managed, the disease can lead to health complications including, stroke and heart disease, impotence, kidney failure, blindness, and nerve damage.

Type 1 Diabetes treatment includes healthy diet, physical exercise and taking insulin. Proper monitoring of blood glucose levels is also part of maintaining proper health.

While there is no cure, ongoing research, particularly Stem Cell Research and diabetes is progressing well.

Guest Author

Check out this fascinating article on the Caveman Diet and Diabetes, also known as the paleolithic diet. It is written by our guest author Eric Devine. Eric has type 1 diabetes and has had great success with this unique eating regime.

Other Conditions Related to Diabetes Type 1

Several conditions are somewhat related to diabetes and go by similar names. One condition called Brittle Diabetes is very rare but concerns diabetics who have difficulty managing their condition.

Similarly, Diabetes Insipidus shares the sae name, but is a very different type of condition. The Treatment for Diabetes Insipidus is also very different.