Type-1 Diabetes occurs because your body does not produce hormone Insulin leading to High Blood Sugar. This happens because body’s immune system attacks beta cells in Pancreas responsible for production of Insulin.
What Causes Type-1 Diabetes?
There are no clear known causes of Type-1 Diabetes. Some scientists believe it is triggered by environmental factors like viruses or due to genetic factors.
What are Symptoms of Type-1 Diabetes?
Following are symptoms of Type -1 Diabetes:
All below symptoms are someway interrelated leading to each other.
- Frequent Urination
- Excessive thirst
- Extremely tiredness
- Increased hunger
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Longer healing time of wounds
In normal course body converts carbohydrate molecules in food to sugar/glucose. This sugar/glucose is transported across body through blood. With increased concentration of sugar/glucose in blood Pancreas organ produces more hormone Insulin which in turn helps sugar/glucose molecules in blood to enter cells where they are converted in energy for body functions.
Inability of body to produce Hormone Insulin in Type-1 Diabetes leads to accumulation of sugar/glucose in blood resulting in saturation and High Blood Sugar. Further Organ Kidney in effort to maintain sugar/glucose balance (Glucose homeostasis) in blood tries to eliminate sugar/glucose through urine leading to appearance of symptom like increased urination. Since large amount of water is excreted out of body due to frequent Urination their appears other symptom of excessive thirst which leads to increased intake of liquid. Because sugar/glucose does not enter cell in absence of insulin body starts to get extremely tired which is one of symptoms. Extreme tiredness leads to increased hunger causing increased intake of food and High Blood Sugar. Further since body is unable to produce energy in absence of sugar/glucose in cells causing body to start breaking stored fats leading to symptom of unintended weight loss. Also High Blood Sugar leads to swelling in eye lens causing symptom of blurred vision. High Blood Sugar also leads to slowing of blood circulation which makes it difficult for blood to supply necessary nutrients and oxygen to wounds causing longer healing time of wounds.
What is Treatment of Type-1 Diabetes?
Everyone with Type-1 Diabetes needs to use insulin to control High Blood Sugar. Insulin can be injected in body by using Insulin Pen or Insulin Pump. Commonly Insulin Pen is used is preferred for injection as it is simple to use and readily available. Maintaining control over Blood sugar by regular check up by doing blood sugar tests.
How is Type-1 Diabetes managed?
- Diet: Eating less carbohydrate diet and cutting down on snacks.
- Exercise: Exercise is must in order to burn down excess or accumulated sugar in blood due to non-production of Insulin or to assist injected Insulin to bring down High Blood sugar.
- Drinking Water: Drinking higher amount of water will help to decrease High Blood Sugar in blood and help Kidney in excretion of sugar from urine.
- Beverages: Certain beverages like Alcohol, Soda, energy drinks with sugar, Fruit Juices, High Fat Milk.
- Smoking: Smoking may increase resistance to injected Insulin. Further it may lead to increased dehydration during summers or higher temperatures leading to High Blood Sugar.
- Reduce Portion size: Decrease in amount of food during lunch or dinner or eating too much food in one meal increases not only blood sugar but also demands more insulin in body.
- Sedentary life and intermittent walks: Avoid sitting for long continuous hours and take intermittent walks in between an hour around desk will help.
- Processed Foods: Processed foods like chips, Snacks with high salt and preservatives, Sweet Cookies, etc should be avoided.
Conclusion
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition that requires dedication and management. With the right treatment, education, and support, individuals can effectively manage their diabetes and live healthy, fulfilling lives. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and management.
By understanding and raising awareness about Type 1 diabetes, we can foster a more supportive community for those affected by this condition.