Diabetes Type 1 Knowledge

What is type 1 diabetes?

In diabetes type 1, the pancrea is unable to produce insulin ( hormone that controls blood sugar levels)

Insulin production becomes inadequate for the control of blood glucose levels due to the gradual destruction of beta cells in the pancreas. This destruction is progressed over time until the mass of these cells decreases to the extent where insufficient insulin amount is produced.

Type 1 diabetes typically appears in childhood or adolescence, but its onset is also possible in adulthood.

Later in life when it develops, type 1 diabetes can be mistaken in the initial stage for type 2 diabetes. Correctly diagnosed, it is known as latent autoimmune diabetes of adulthood.

Causes of type 1 diabetes

Gradual beta cells destruction in the pancreas eventually resulting in the onset of type 1 diabetes is the result of autoimmune destruction. The immune system turning against the body's own cells is possibly triggered by an environmental factor exposed to people who have a genetic susceptibility.

Although the mechanisms of type 1 diabetes are not clear and are thought to involve the interaction of multiple factors:

• Susceptibility genes - some of which are carried by over 90% of patients with type 1 diabetes. Some populations including Scandinavians and Sardinians, for example - are more likely to have susceptibility genes
• Autoantigens - proteins thought to be released or exposed during normal pancreas beta cell turnover or injury such as that caused by infection. The autoantigens are activating an immune response which results in beta cell destruction
• Viruses - coxsackievirus, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and retroviruses are among those that have been linked to type 1 diabetes
• Diet - infants exposed to dairy products, having high nitrates in drinking water and  vitamin D intake is low have also been linked to the development of diabetes type 1.

Life with type 1 diabetes

After the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, health care providers will help patients learn how to self-monitor via finger stick testing, the signs of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia and other diabetic complications. Most patients will also be taught how to adjust their insulin doses.2Type 1 diabetes always requires insulin treatment and an insulin pump or daily injections will be a lifelong requirement to keep blood sugar levels under control. The condition used to be known as insulin-dependent diabetes.