What Is Type 1 Diabetes: Understand The Symptoms And Causes

In the last few years, type 1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes has seen a steep rise. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic health condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. This type is most prevalent in adolescence. This disease appears in two stages; the first peak occurs in children between the age of 4 and 7 years and, the second peak is observed between the age of 12-14 years. The role of insulin in our body is crucial; insulin is a hormone that is required to allow glucose to enter our cells and generate energy. In type 1 diabetes, the body is unable to process glucose and generate energy. The glucose present in the food does not enter the cells, thus, creating excess glucose in the blood. This condition is known as high blood sugar.

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease. It occurs in children and teenagers; thus, it is also called juvenile diabetes. Read about the causes and symptoms of type 1 diabetes.

• What Are The Early Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes?

Here are a few signs and symptoms associated with type 1 diabetes.

1. Blurred vision
2. Fatigue and weakness
3. Feeling frequently Hungry
4. Frequent urination
5. Feeling thirsty frequently
6. Irritation and mood swings
7. Irregular weight loss

Type 1 diabetes can be cured with proper care and lifestyle changes. However, if you are affected with DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis), then you need immediate and continuous medical care.

• What Is Diabetic Ketoacidosis?

Type 1 diabetes is bad for health, but what is more dangerous is diabetic ketoacidosis Type 1 diabetes. It is a situation where high and acidic substances called ketones are produced in the body at abnormal levels. It occurs when the body does not have enough insulin to process adequate glucose in the blood. If DKA remains untreated, then it might lead to coma and even death. Thus, the proper treatment of DKA is crucial. If your blood sugar reads more than 250 milligrams per decilitre, then you must get your urine tested for ketones.

• What Are The Symptoms Of DKA?

DKA symptoms are almost like normal type 1 diabetes, yet the severity of the symptoms is greater in DKA.

1. Higher levels of Ketones are found in the urine of patients suffering from DKA.
2. These patients frequently experience Nausea and vomiting
3. Pinching Abdominal pain
4. Fast Breathing
5. Dryness in the mouth and skin.

• What Causes Type 1 Diabetes?

Diabetes is an auto-immune disease; there are no exact causes associated with it. Like other auto-immune diseases, even in diabetes, the immune system that protects our body from viruses and bacteria – mistakenly kills the good insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Diabetes can be genetic or acquired from exposure to viruses.

• What Are The Complications Of Type 1 Diabetes In The Long Run?

Diabetes can affect the organs of our body; therefore, along with medication, type 1 patients must make necessary changes in their lifestyle to reduce the risk of future complications. Below are a few complications that might arise if the illness is not managed properly.

1. Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular problems. Chances of heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure are more in diabetic patients.

2. If sugar consumption is high, then diabetes can cause nerve damage. Nerve connected to legs may be affected first, causing the tingling sensation in the toes and fingers.

3. The role of our kidney is to filter waste from our blood. Diabetes can damage the filtering process and even lead to kidney failure.

4. Drying in the mouth can be felt by diabetic patients. This condition is due to a fungal infection in the mouth. Thus, diabetic patients must consume a lot of liquids in the form of water and natural juices.

• What Lifestyle Changes Can Control The Complications?

Small changes like quitting smoking, walking daily, doing kapalbhati and Pranayam, eating meals at a fixed time every day, not skipping meals, consuming food without sugar, eating low sodium food, and avoiding fried food, can help you manage type 1 diabetes.

• What Are Type 1 Diabetic Levels?

If you meet any of the below numbers, then you must immediately seek medical attention:

• fasting blood sugar level – >126 mg/dl on two different tests
• random blood sugar level – >200mg/dl

The Bottom Line:

In America alone, there can more than 2 million children affected by type 1 diabetes. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the leading reasons for death across the globe. We do not want to scare you by stating these numbers, but we want you to be cautious. Practice healthy habits take necessary precautions and, improve your eating patterns; these few things can help you reduce the complications and lead a healthy and long life.