Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. Every year in the United States, 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and more than 1 million American kids and adults deal with the disease every day. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. Onset is usually in childhood or adolescence. Type 1 diabetes is considered an autoimmune disorder that involves:
- Patients with type 1 diabetes need to take daily insulin for survival.
- The body cannot utilize the sugar, it spills over into the urine and is lost.
- Beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are gradually destroyed. Eventually insulin deficiency is absolute.
- Without insulin to move glucose into cells, blood glucose levels become excessively high, a condition known as hyperglycemia.
- Weakness, weight loss, frequent urination, and excessive hunger and thirst are among the initial symptoms.
Problems caused by Type 1 Diabetes
People with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, high blood pressure, blindness, nerve damage and gum disease. These things happen 2 to 4 times more often in people with diabetes than in people without diabetes. When you have type 1 diabetes, blood may not move as well through your legs and feet. If left untreated, this condition can become very serious and lead to amputation (removal) of your feet. Untreated type 1 diabetes can cause a person to go into a coma. It can even kill you. The good news is that treatment can help prevent these problems
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
- Feeling tired or fatigued
- Dry skin and mouth
- Feeling hungry
- Urinating more often
- Losing weight without trying
- Having blurry eyesight
- Losing the feeling or feeling tingling in your feet
- Deep, rapid breathing
- Flushed face
- Fruity breath odor
- Nausea or vomiting, unable to keep down fluids
- Stomach pain
Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
Insulin is essential for strict control of blood glucose levels in type 1 diabetes. Tight blood glucose control is the best way to prevent major complications in type 1 diabetes, including those that affect the kidneys, eyes, nerve pathways, and blood vessels. Intensive insulin treatment in early diabetes may even help preserve any residual insulin secretion for at least 2 years. There are, however, some significant problems with intensive insulin therapy:
- There is a greater risk for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- Many patients experience significant weight gain from insulin administration, which may have adverse effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is important to manage heart disease risk factors that might develop as a result of insulin treatment.
Best Diet
The best diet for people with type 1 diabetes is low in fat, low in salt and low in added sugars. It has lots of complex carbohydrates (like whole-grain breads, cereals and pasta), fruits and vegetables. This diet will help you control your blood sugar level, as well as your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It’s also important to watch your portion size so you can maintain a healthy weight.
