What is type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a lifelong disease that developed because your pancreas can no longer produce . Insulin lets sugar (glucose) enter the body & cells, where it is used for energy. Without insulin, sugar accumulates in your blood and the level rises above what is safe for your body. Over time, persistent high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body and increase your risk of eye, heart, blood vessel, nerve, and kidney disease.

Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age; however, it usually develops in children and young adults, which is why it was formerly called juvenile diabetes. It has also been called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) because insulin must be taken daily.

You are among of the 5% to 10% of all people with diabetes. About 90% of the people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes; gestational and secondary diabetes are other forms of diabetes.

What caused type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes developed because your pancreas can no longer produce insulin. This was caused by an autoimmune response in which your body did not recognize some of its own cells and destroyed them. Most or all of the cells that produce insulin (beta cells within the islet tissue of the pancreas) have been destroyed. What caused the autoimmune response is unknown. You may have had a genetic tendency for the disease, and environmental factors such as exposure to certain viral infections may have increased your risk of developing the disease—but they did not cause it.

Why did I not notice symptoms?

Increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, and possibly increased appetite usually develop over a few days to weeks, but you may not have noticed them because you had not been told about the symptoms of diabetes. If you had been ill, such as with the flu, you may have thought the symptoms were related to the illness.

What is diabetic ketoacidosis?

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening condition that results from lack of insulin and leads to high levels of acids Ketone Bodies in your blood and very high blood glucose levels.

When you were first diagnosed with diabetes, you may have needed treatment—possibly including hospitalization—for DKA. You are still at risk for DKA if you don't take your insulin injections as prescribed, are vomiting or are very ill, eat more food than normal, or don't get enough exercise. However, blood sugar levels usually rise slowly over hours or days and you can treat the high level before DKA develops.

Could type 1 diabetes have been prevented?

You cannot prevent type 1 diabetes; however, studies are being done to evaluate ways of preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes in people who are most likely to develop the disease. Your family members can be tested to see whether they are eligible to participate in these studies.

How is it treated?

Your treatment for type 1 diabetes focuses on keeping your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. You will need to eat a diet that spreads carbohydrates throughout the day, take insulin injections daily or use an insulin pump, monitor your blood sugar levels several times a day, and get regular physical exercise.

You will visit your health professional regularly to have your treatment evaluated and receive screening tests and exams to monitor your condition. During these visits, your treatment will be adjusted to meet your changing needs.

If your child has type 1 diabetes, treatment involves the same measures but will also allow for normal growth and development.

What is the honeymoon period?

If your blood sugar levels return to the normal range soon after you are diagnosed with diabetes, you are in what is called the honeymoon period. This is a time when the remaining insulin-producing cells in your pancreas are working harder to supply enough insulin for your body. During this time, you may take little or no insulin; however, this does not mean that diabetes has gone away. When the remaining insulin-producing cells have been destroyed, the honeymoon period will end, and you will need to take insulin for the rest of your life.

What kind of daily care is needed?

You can live a long, healthy life if you keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. You will need the right combination of food, physical activity, and insulin each day to achieve this goal. If your young child has diabetes, you will assume the responsibility for balancing these factors. As your child develops, he or she will assume more and more responsibility for his or her diabetes care.