Type 1 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Manage It

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition caused by disturbances in the immune system, posing a significant challenge to human health. Unlike Type 2 diabetes, this disease typically manifests early, especially in children and young adults, and requires lifelong management. Understanding Type 1 diabetes helps individuals better manage their condition and prevent dangerous complications. So, what exactly is Type 1 diabetes? Can it be cured? Let’s explore everything in the following article!

1. What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age but is most commonly seen in children, adolescents, and young adults. When diagnosed with this condition, the body cannot use glucose due to either a lack of insulin production or an inability to use insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose move from the blood into cells, where it is converted into energy.

Diabetes includes both Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes results from the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas, leading to insulin deficiency, and requires external insulin for treatment. People with this condition must manage it with insulin for life.

What is the blood sugar level for Type 1 diabetes? The blood sugar levels of a person with diabetes differ from those of a healthy person. In a healthy person, fasting blood sugar levels are 90-100.8 mg/dl, while in a diabetic, fasting blood sugar can exceed 126 mg/dl.

When researching this disease, many wonder how long people with Type 1 diabetes live. According to the British Diabetes Association, the average life expectancy of someone with Type 1 diabetes is 63-65 years, which is about 20 years shorter than those without the disease.

2. Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are categorized into common symptoms, acute complications, and chronic complications.

• Common Symptoms
  The “classic” symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include:
  • Excessive hunger and thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Unexplained weight loss
• Acute Complications
  With complications, people with Type 1 diabetes may experience:
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Dry skin, excessive thirst
  • Cramps
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Rapid breathing (breath may smell like rotten apples)
• Chronic Complications
  Chronic complications associated with Type 1 diabetes can include:
  • Blurry vision
  • Chest pain
  • Numbness and tingling in the feet
  • Foot ulcers and infections
  • Bloating, indigestion, and difficulty swallowing

3. Causes of Type 1 Diabetes

The cause of Type 1 diabetes is the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas, which results in little to no insulin production. This prevents the body from converting blood glucose into energy.

95% of cases are caused by an autoimmune mechanism, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The remaining cases have unknown causes. While the factors contributing to Type 1 diabetes are still being studied, researchers agree that having a family member with Type 1 diabetes increases the risk. Additionally, exposure to certain viruses that attack the immune system may contribute to the disease.

4. Dangerous Complications of Type 1 Diabetes

Some of the serious complications of Type 1 diabetes are related to heart and blood vessel diseases, nerve damage, diabetic kidney disease, eye damage, diabetic foot, skin and mouth infections, and complications during pregnancy.

• Heart and Blood Vessel Diseases
  Diabetes increases the risk of heart diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, coronary artery disease (with chest pain), arterial narrowing, and high blood pressure.
• Nerve Damage
  Long-term high blood sugar can damage blood vessels, especially in the feet, causing symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain. This can lead to a loss of sensation in the limbs. Nerve damage may also affect digestion, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, and may lead to erectile dysfunction in men.
• Diabetic Kidney Disease
  Diabetes can damage small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant.
• Eye Damage
  Type 1 diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the retina, leading to blindness. It also increases the risk of other eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma.
• Diabetic Foot
  Nerve damage or reduced blood flow to the feet increases the risk of foot complications. Without proper treatment, cuts and blisters can become infected, potentially leading to amputations.
• Skin and Mouth Infections
  People with diabetes are more prone to skin and mouth infections due to bacterial and fungal infections. Gum disease and dry mouth are also common.
• Pregnancy Complications
  High blood sugar levels can harm both the mother and the fetus. Poor blood sugar control increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, and preeclampsia in the mother.

5. Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes

Common treatments for managing Type 1 diabetes include insulin use, medications, artificial pancreas systems, blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, and regular physical activity.

• Using Insulin and Other Medications
  Everyone with Type 1 diabetes needs to take insulin for life. Types of insulin include short-acting, fast-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin. Doctors may also prescribe medications for hypertension, cholesterol-lowering, and aspirin for heart protection.
• Artificial Pancreas
  In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the artificial pancreas system for individuals aged 14 and older with Type 1 diabetes. This device links a continuous glucose monitor to an insulin pump, delivering insulin automatically based on real-time glucose levels.
• Blood Sugar Monitoring
  Patients may need to check their blood sugar levels up to four times a day, before meals, before bed, before exercise, or when they suspect low glucose levels.
• Healthy Eating
  A diet rich in fiber, low in fat, and full of nutritious fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is recommended. It’s important to avoid animal products and refined carbohydrates like white bread and sweets.
• Physical Activity
  Regular exercise, such as walking or swimming, can help lower blood sugar levels. It is important to monitor blood sugar frequently when starting a new exercise regimen to understand how it affects glucose levels.

While managing Type 1 diabetes can be challenging due to its lifelong nature and lifestyle restrictions, individuals can take control of their health with proper education, adherence to treatment, and maintaining a positive mindset.

We hope that this article helps you better understand Type 1 diabetes, enabling you to manage blood sugar levels and prevent dangerous complications related to the nerves, eyes, kidneys, and heart, to maintain a healthy life.