What You Need To Know Now About Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, also written as T1D, is a condition that occurs as a result of the pancreas’ inability to produce insulin. This happens because the immune system attacks the beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them.

Insulin is a hormone that helps moves sugar or glucose from the blood into the body cells to be used for energy.

Since the glucose is no longer able to enter the body cells with the help of insulin, the blood becomes concentrated with glucose. This build-up of glucose is what doctors refer to as high sugar levels.

Type 1 diabetes affects children the most, especially those below 20 years. That’s why T1D was formally called juvenile diabetes. However, it could affect people of all ages.

There is a condition that looks so much like T1D, but then it is different. It is known as secondary diabetes.

This does not occur from the immune system attacking the cells in the pancreas, but then this time the beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed by other factors, such as an injury or something similar.

In both cases, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin.

The first indication of Type 1 Diabetes is diabetic ketoacidosis.

In the absence of glucose for energy in the cells, the body begins to break down fat into useable fuel that doesn’t require insulin, and this fuel is called ketones.

You see, even though the body produces an alternative form of energy, this energy remains in the blood because insulin isn’t available to deliver it to the cells.

The mixture of glucose in the blood and the buildup of ketones makes the blood acidic, and this is known as diabetic ketoacidosis.

Apart from diabetic ketoacidosis, other symptoms suggest that you have type 1 diabetes.

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

1.Frequent urinating

2.Extreme thirst

3.Increased hunger

4.Dry mouth

5.Upset stomach

6.Unexplained weight loss

7.Fatigue

8.Blurry vision

9.Heavy breathing (kussmaul respiration)

10.Bed wetting in a child whose been dry at night

When you see any of these symptoms in your body or that of your child, quickly rush to the hospital for treatment.

It’s rather unfortunate that there is no known method of preventing T1D. Our really awesome scientists are working on that. While we wait, there are things you could be doing to manage the condition.

Things you can do today

Managing T1D is something only you can do. It’ll be a lot easier if you seek help from health professionals, qualified dieticians, diabetes educators, your family, and anyone important to you.

You can take these four steps to manage type 1 diabetes:

1.Take insulin shots as prescribed by your doctor

2.Check your blood sugar level regularly

3.Do whatever you can to control your cholesterol level

4.Manage your stress levels with enough sleep and physical activities

Final notes

Exercise is indeed very important when it comes to managing diabetes. However, it can also affect your blood sugar levels, especially if you take insulin shots.

You need to balance your insulin dose and the food you eat with any activity, even if it’s as simple as house chores. You can do this easily by checking your blood sugar before, during, and after an activity to find out how it affects you.

Knowledge is power and therefore, taking the time to do this simple analysis would help you manage your sugar level more effortlessly.

Is there anything else you think I forgot to add? Among the tips above, which of them do you think would be difficult for you to apply? Please leave your comment in the comment section below.