Type 1
diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, usually assaults
children, but can strike adults as well.What is the definition of this chronic disease? What exactly
occurs to bring about type 1 diabetes?What age group is primarily involved?What are the symptoms and how is it diagnosed?These are the questions to be explored.
What is
Type 1 Diabetes?
Within the
realm of diabetes, type 1 diabetes is diagnosed 10 to 15% of
the time. Type 1 diabetes simply means that elevated sugar
is apparent in the blood because insulin is no longer doing
it’s required job.Sugar,
also called glucose, is a substance found in plants and
animals necessary to sustain life as the energy producer.Insulin is a hormone manufactured in the pancreas.The job of insulin is to gather the sugar from the
blood and distribute it to cells.When the pancreas fails to produce insulin, sugar
builds up in the blood and the onset of diabetes occurs.
Who Gets
Type 1 Diabetes?
Unfortunately,
type 1 diabetes affects approximately 1 out of every 400-500
children.The
odds of acquiring type 1 diabetes as an adult are much less.Statistics reveal that unlike type 2 diabetes, more Caucasian
children are affected than Hispanics or African American
children.
How Does
Type 1 Diabetes Happen?
No one
knows for certain what causes type 1 diabetes to occur, but
there is substantial evidence that there may be a genetic
link to the disease.As
an autoimmune disease the belief is that environmental
triggers put the wheels in motion that bring about type 1
diabetes.Whether
the beta cells in the pancreas are attacked and destroyed by
a virus or allergens is not certain, but the outcome is the
same.Once the
beta cells are no longer able to produce insulin, glucose
levels rise and type 1 diabetes happens.
What Are
the Symptoms ofType
1 Diabetes?
It may be
more difficult to tell in small children if they have the
symptoms, but some of the following will be experienced:
Frequent
urination
Overwhelming
thirst
A
feeling of hunger
Feeling
very tired
Loss
of weight without trying
Extremely
slow healing sores
Dry,
itchy skin
Blurred
vision
Fruity
smelling breath
A
feeling of “pins” and “needles” in feet
Continual
problems with bladder or vaginal infections
Lose
of consciousness
Sugar
in urine
If any of
these symptoms are experienced see a doctor immediately.Type 1 diabetes is a manageable disease, however
undiagnosed it can be fatal.
How Is Type
1 Diabetes Diagnosed?
The normal
range of glucose in the blood is 70 – 120.This level rises after eating but returns to within a
normal range 1 – 2 hours later.A fasting blood glucose test is the diagnostic tool
most often used by physicians if Type 1 diabetes is
suspected.Testing
for ketone bodies or glucose in the urine is another test in
the diagnostic arsenal that may be used.
Are There
Risks or Complications with Type 1 Diabetes?
The most
serious risks and diabetes complications occur in undiagnosed and
untreated type 1 diabetes, but there are problems that can
happen over time.
Retinopathy
or loss of eyesight is a rare event in children before
the age of puberty.However it does happen to adults who have had the
disease for 15 or more years.Although not serious, it is a concern.
Kidney
problems become a problem for 35% - 45% of people living
with Type 1 diabetes.Kidney failure or heart disease may become a
serious condition.
Poor
blood circulation due to hardening of the arteries may
occur after a prolonged amount of time living with the
type 1 diabetes.This
complication creates problems with sores healing
properly and increased chances of injury.Nerve damage may also lead to digestive problems
such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Although
the information looks grim, the reality is that type 1
diabetes is manageable.People go on to live long, exciting lives filled with
love, happy times, adventure, satisfaction and contentment.
