Insulin is what the body uses to unlock cells so glucose can be absorbed into the cells and used as energy for the body. Type 1 diabetes develops when the pancreas stops producing the hormone insulin. It is an auto-immune disease where the immune system attacks the islets in the body which allow the pancreas to produce insulin. Why this occurs is still a mystery to this day.
What is known, however, is that Type 1 usually occurs during childhood and early adulthood. Rarely has it been known to develop outside of these age ranges. What is also known is that it is easily diagnosed, even though the causes are unknown. There are many distinct symptoms of an undiagnosed type 1 diabetic. The most noticeable symptoms are frequent thirst and urination combined with weight loss and fatigue. Other symptoms also include vision problems and an increase in appetite. Since the discovery of Type 1 diabetes, many treatments have been explored. Almost one hundred years ago insulin injections were introduced. Injections are still being used today. A few decades ago the insulin pump was introduced and has been very successful in managing type 1 diabetes. Devices have also been developed to test blood sugar levels daily. These have been highly successful in keeping complications low. Type 1 diabetes can complicate many areas of the body.
Complications may occur in some diabetics but not others. When not managed properly high glucose levels can affect the eyes, heart, liver, kidneys, blood vessels, and nerves. Not very long ago it was common for a diabetic to lose a limb due to poor circulation or to go blind because of weak blood vessels in the eye. However today, more advanced research, education, and technology have made it possible for diabetics to live a fairly normal life. Type 1 diabetes has been around for hundreds of years. With proper care, many diabetics can live a healthy life with this chronic disease.
Even though there is not a cure, there have been many advancements and more hope exists today that a cure is forthcoming.
References:
American Diabetes Association (1995-2012). Retrieved March 12, 2012, From www.diabetes.org
PubMed Health (2012). Retrieved March 12, 2012, From www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Wikipedia. Diabetes mellitus Type 1 (March 2012). Retrieved March 12, 2012, From www.wikipedia.org/wiki/diabetes-mellitus_type1
