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Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 February 2010 04:20 Written by Michael Cole Tuesday, 16 February 2010 04:06
Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot properly store and use fuel for energy. The body's main fuel is a form of sugar called glucose, which comes from food (after it's been broken down). Glucose enters the blood and is used by cells for energy. To use glucose, the body needs a hormone called insulin, which is made by the pancreas. Insulin is important because it allows glucose to leave the blood and enter the body's cells. Diabetes develops when your body can't make any or enough insulin, or when it can't properly use the insulin it makes.
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes develops when your body makes little or no insulin. When this happens, glucose can't get into the cells for energy and remains in the blood. Type 1 diabetes also used to be called juvenile-onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). It affects about 1 in 250 people in the United States, and occurs equally among women and men. Most people develop type 1 diabetes before the age of 30, but in rare cases it can also occur in older adults.
A predisposition for type 1 diabetes can be inherited, but no one knows how exactly it's passed on. Different environmental factors are likely involved, and they probably determine whether the disease develops or not. While the exact cause of type 1 diabetes isn't known, researchers believe the disease develops when a virus or toxin damages the pancreas or causes the body's immune system to attack the pancreas (called an autoimmune reaction). As a result, the cells of the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin. Without insulin, glucose in the blood can't enter the cells in the body and blood glucose levels rise. The body begins breaking down fat and protein for energy instead of using glucose for energy.
People with type 1 diabetes may have the following signs and symptoms:
In some cases, emergency symptoms may develop. They include:
It's absolutely critical to get immediate emergency medical attention if any of the above emergency symptoms develop. Make sure you get to a hospital right away.
There are short- and long-term complications associated with diabetes. Short-term problems are hypoglycemia(low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Taking too much insulin, missing a meal, or over-exercising can make blood sugar go too low. Symptoms of low blood sugar can come along very quickly, and they can include:
In contrast, symptoms of high blood sugar (such as thirst, dry itchy skin, or blurred vision) usually come on slowly and can be brought on by circumstances such as taking too little insulin, eating too much food, or during stressful times or illness. It's important to test blood glucose levels regularly to avoid low or high blood glucose. A serious condition called ketoacidosis can occur when blood glucose stays too high. It mainly affects people with type 1 diabetes and can be very dangerous if left untreated.
Long-term complications can occur if a person has had diabetes for a long time. People with diabetes are at greater risk for problems that involve damage to small blood vessels and nerves due to hyperglycemia and narrowing of large arteries (atherosclerosis). These include heart attack, stroke, and poor blood flow to the legs. Damage caused by diabetes can affect the eyes (a condition called diabetic retinopathy), the kidneys, the nerves that supply the extremities (legs and arms), and gastrointestinal tract (called neuropathy), and finally the arteries supplying blood to the heart and brain
(Diabetes Type 1, IDDM)
In this factsheet:
To diagnose diabetes, doctors will take a medical history (asking about symptoms and other medical conditions) and ask for blood and urine samples.With a blood test, abnormalities in blood glucose levels are detected and glucose or ketone bodies (waste products produced from the breakdown of fat and protein) show up in the urine.
Lifelong replacement therapy with insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes.Insulin treatment needs to be injected; it can't be taken by mouth, as it is broken down in the stomach. There are many types of insulin, classifiable as short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting. Premixed insulins are also available; these are short-acting and intermediate-acting insulins mixed together. The amount of insulin needed depends on a number of factors, notably:
Some people with diabetes take one or two insulin injections or shots per day, while others have three or four.
Proper nutrition is important, and a dietary plan made in consultation with a dietitian should be part of diabetes care. Following a healthy balanced meal plan helps control blood glucose. This means watching what you eat, when you eat it, and how much you eat. Exercise also helps to improve blood glucose control. Light weight training with aerobic exercise (such as jogging or walking) has been shown to help improve your body's response to insulin.
As part of proper diabetes management, a person with diabetes should be aware of the symptoms of abnormal blood glucose levels and know how to properly monitor blood glucose levels, using a home glucose monitor, available at most pharmacies. Blood glucose self-testing is necessary for all people with diabetes taking insulin. Regular testing throughout the day will guide you and your doctor in determining how much insulin you need. Self-testing will give you the information you need to avoid the signs and symptoms of diabetes, including those of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. There are many different blood glucose meters available on the market. Before buying a meter, you should speak to you doctor or other diabetes health professional about which ones are most suited to you needs.
You should remember to always keep glucose tablets, candies containing sugar, or other sources of quickly absorbed glucose with you at all times to protect against hypoglycemia. Your doctor and other diabetes health professionals can help you identify appropriate sources of glucose.
To prevent complications, it's important to follow your diabetes management plan and keep your blood glucose levels in a healthy range. By taking insulin as prescribed by your doctor, and making sure that you check your blood glucose regularly, you can keep type 1 diabetes well controlled and avoid complications.
Here are some tips to help you stay healthy and prevent some of the long-term complications of diabetes:
Foot care: Poor circulation and nerve damage caused by diabetes can reduce sensitivity in the feet. It's important to check your feet regularly, looking for any blisters, cuts or sores. Always keep your feet clean and dry and protect them by wearing socks and comfortable shoes.
Eye care:Eye problems (retinopathy) due to diabetes can even lead to blindness, so make sure you have your eyes checked by an eye doctor (ophthamologist) at least once a year. By treating problems early, you can avoid serious complications.
Skin care: High blood glucose and poor circulation can lead to skin problems such as slow healing after an injury or frequent infections. Make sure you wash every day with a mild soap and warm water, protect your skin by using sunscreen, take good care of any cuts or scrapes with proper cleansing and bandaging, and see a doctor when cuts heal slowly or if an infection develops.
