When you hear the word ‘diabetes,’ you may immediately think of blood sugar and the need to take regular insulin. However, you may not know that this disease comes in two forms: diabetes type 1 and type 2.
You may hear more about type 2 diabetes, which is more prevalent and results from the body’s inability to produce enough insulin combined with insulin resistance. This situation may result in high blood sugar or hyperglycemia.
Diabetes type 1 is lesser known. Let’s understand more about this disease.
Table of Contents
What is Diabetes Type 1?
It is an autoimmune disease that occurs due to the antibodies that kill the pancreatic beta cells. People with type 1 disease need to take insulin because the body is unable to produce insulin without these pancreatic cells.
Insulin is not always necessary if you have diabetes type 2. Typically, you will initially be given medication to reduce your blood sugar. You may need to start taking insulin if the pills aren’t sufficient in some situations.
However, insulin is always a must if you have type 1 diabetes.
Here are some of the essential facts about diabetes type 1 that everyone should know.
1- Age is Often – but not always – a Key Factor!
Diabetes type 1 typically occurs during the early childhood years. Juvenile-onset diabetes is a common term to describe type 1.
On the other hand, people with latent autoimmune diabetes, or LADA, typically develop beyond the age of thirty and do not require insulin for at least the first six months after insulin.
However, researchers cannot agree on whether LADA is truly Type 1. It is even called diabetes type 1.5 because its management is the same as of type 1.
The distinction is that insulin is required for diabetes type 1 practically instantly – within days or months of diagnosis. Insulin may not be needed for months or years in people with LADA since the disease progresses more slowly in these patients.
2- Symptoms of Diabetes can Appear Suddenly!
Most patients only discover they have diabetes type 1 after experiencing symptoms for a few weeks or months.
Type 1 diabetes manifests as the following symptoms:
- Increased urination
- A thirst that won’t go away
- Hazy vision
- Loss of weight
- Tiredness
Additionally, some people may develop diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA. When your body doesn’t have enough insulin to process sugar, it indicates elevated ketone levels.
Your body starts to break down fat as a fuel source when there isn’t enough insulin to digest sugar. Your blood may become overly acidic due to your liver converting fatty acids into substances known as ketone bodies.
Many symptoms may result from this condition. Dehydration is a regular occurrence, along with additional symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, maybe disorientation, and a decrease in renal function.
Suggested Read: How to Fix Diabetes Thirst?
3- There is More Than One Way to Get Insulin
The primary treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin. It can be given in several ways, though. Here is the breakdown of a few of these methods:
Insulin Injections
The most popular method involves injecting long-acting basal and fast-acting prandial insulin beneath the skin.
When you don’t eat carbohydrates, your body needs basal insulin; when you do, it needs prandial insulin, or “mealtime” insulin.
When used with a meal, this fast-acting injectable counteracts the effects of elevated blood sugar within 10 to 15 minutes.
It’s a routine that replicates the functions of your pancreas daily, and you may customize it to fit your schedule by taking it at the appropriate times for eating, working, etc. It increases your degree of flexibility.
Insulin Pump
The question is, how to get insulin without injections?
An insulin pump is the solution that you wear on the body to get continuous infusions. Your doctor may program the insulin pump to calculate the appropriate insulin dosage based on your carbohydrate intake as well as for continuous infusions. You will need to prick your fingertips to check the blood sugar levels.
Glucose Monitor
Another choice is a continuous glucose monitor. This gadget has a tiny implanted sensor that measures blood sugar levels every five minutes. You need to wear this for one to two weeks at a time.
Additionally, you perform finger sticks to ensure the monitor accurately reads your levels.
The continuous monitor is convenient for those with brittle blood sugars. It means your blood sugar fluctuates one minute and drops the next.
Patients can proactively treat themselves before their blood sugar levels become too high or too low by using a monitor to detect where their blood sugar is moving.
4- Researchers are Looking for a Cure
New studies are investigating potential treatments for type 1 diabetes. Some experimental techniques aim to replace healthy islet cells with damaged ones. Some are investigating artificial pancreas systems for monitoring and controlling the body’s blood sugar levels.
To determine whether newly diagnosed patients and their families are susceptible to the disease, researchers are now investigating screening methods for Type 1 antibodies.
Scientists are also investigating immunomodulators to postpone the onset or progression of type 1 diabetes.
Doctor Recommendation: Dr. Amjad Saeed Mian is the best Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon in Lahore. With an expertise of 38 years in the field, he is well-equipped with the training and knowledge to treat diabetes through pancreatic surgery.
5- Managing Type 1 Diabetes Requires a Holistic Approach
Type 1 diabetes is a challenging condition to control. However, you can do it. With appropriate insulin management, you need to do the following:
- Blood sugar Monitoring: Regular monitoring of your blood glucose levels and appropriate insulin administration are necessary for blood sugar control. What kind of insulin is best for you will be determined by your doctor.
- Good food and nourishment: Understanding how various foods affect your blood glucose levels and creating healthy, balanced meal plans that support these levels will help you monitor your blood glucose levels more effectively.
- Work out and Exercise: You can better control your blood glucose levels with frequent exercise. You should understand how your blood sugar levels vary before, during, and after strenuous activity. It is crucial because you can take appropriate measures if your blood sugar rises or falls.
Healthwire is Here to Help!
Patients with diabetes type 1 can lead happy and healthy lives with the help of very committed healthcare staff, appropriate nutrition, lifestyle counseling, and excellent patient education.
However, if you face any setbacks, Healthwire is here to help. You can consult one of the best sugar doctors in Pakistan with just one click.
