Type 1 Diabetes: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

There are different types of diabetic conditions that human beings experience. These classifications depend on the cause and affected age group, one of which is type 1 diabetes.

If you suspect yourself to be suffering from this health condition but aren’t sure, here is a detailed guide. Go through the discourse on this medical condition’s causes, symptoms, and treatments to develop a detailed understanding of the same.

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What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Previously called juvenile diabetes, diabetes mellitus type 1 is a chronic medical condition in which a body’s immune system damages the beta cells of its pancreas. These cells are responsible for producing insulin.

This hormone is responsible for storing glucose as glycogen, and later, converting it into energy when the body requires so. In short, insulin facilitates the passage of glucose from your blood to your body’s cells.

When a body lacks insulin, it cannot process glucose, leading to a high accumulation of blood sugar. This leads to a condition of diabetes type 1.

What are the causes of Type 1 Diabetes?

As of now, there are no known specific type 1 diabetes causes. It is primarily thought to be an autoimmune disease. This is a situation where a body’s immune system accidentally attacks its organs. Here, the body parts happen to be pancreatic beta cells.

There are several factors that scientists believe to be behind this abnormal behaviour in the immune system. These are environmental factors, genetics, and interference of viruses, among others.

These or other factors can trigger the early symptoms of type 1 diabetes. Individuals can keep an eye out for these signs to get themselves diagnosed with this diabetic condition.

What are the Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes?

Generally, the earliest type 1 diabetes symptoms are mild and undetectable. Some of these include:

Excessive hunger even after eating
Tremendous weight loss even with proper diet
Increased thirst
Frequent urge to urinate
Fatigue
Frequent skin infections
Dry mouth
Blurred vision

In emergency cases, patients might experience the following extremities.

Rapid breathing
Stomach ache and vomiting
Nausea
Flushed face
Brain fog (confusion) and shaking
Unconsciousness
Having a fruity smell in one’s breath

In case you experience any of these, consult a healthcare professional immediately for diagnosis.

How to Diagnose Type 1 Diabetes?

There are several tests to determine type 1 diabetes. Some of these tests and their respective results for diabetes type 1 are as follows.

Random blood sugar test: With glucose level measuring higher than 200 mg/dL indicating the condition.
Fasting blood sugar: With glucose level measuring higher than 126 mg/dL on 2 different tests, indicating the affliction.
Haemoglobin A1c: Higher than 6.5 on 2 different tests confirms type 1 diabetes.

These test results, along with signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes, can confirm if an individual has developed this condition.

However, several times a diagnostic test for type 1 diabetes often yields results that lead patients to be misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This is why accompanying symptoms are important to observe here.

In case you are wondering about the root cause of this medical condition, there are several factors that can lead to it. Keep reading to know in detail about them.

What are the Risk Factors of Type 1 Diabetes?

Here are some type 1 diabetes risk factors to look out for:

Geography: Healthcare professionals believe that people staying farther away from the equator, that is, cold places, are more likely to develop type 1 diabetes.
Genetics: Individuals with a history of this diabetic condition in family members are more prone to the condition.
Obesity: Overweight individuals have excessive fatty tissue, which may suppress and inhibit the body’s response to insulin.
Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of exercise, along with a poor diet, can make individuals prone to diabetes type 1.
Hormonal conditions: These also cause certain kinds of type 1 diabetes risks and complications. Such conditions include acromegaly, Cushing’s syndrome, and hyperthyroidism.

Besides the above factors, age also plays a role when determining the risks of type 1 diabetes.

Which age group is at most risk of Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is most prevalent among individuals aged less than 40 years. As already mentioned, it was previously called juvenile diabetes. This is because it is mostly observed in children aged between 4 and 14 years. However, there still can be a few exceptional cases of this medical condition in older people.

What are the Treatment options for Type 1 Diabetes?

Primary type 1 diabetes treatment options include continuous medication since it is a lifelong condition. Some of them are:

Insulin: Insulin intake is facilitated via an injection or insulin pump. The amount depends on the diagnosed blood sugar levels.
Oral medications: Diabetes type 1 treatment without insulin involves oral administration of drugs like Metformin.

Besides medication, patients can make a few lifestyle changes to prolong life expectancy. These include regular exercising and maintaining a proper diet, among others.

What is the Life Expectancy for Type 1 Diabetes Patients?

Since individuals with type 1 diabetes are mostly diagnosed at a young age, they spend most of their life dealing with this condition. According to a report by Diabetes UK, a diabetic medical condition can reduce an individual’s lifespan by approximately 10 years. (https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-life-expectancy.html)

However, with proper type 1 diabetes treatment and prevention measures, individuals can lead a long and normal life without much interference from the condition.

Now that you are fully aware of everything that this medical condition involves, you might find it easier to identify any such condition. Accordingly, if you feel you might be showing the same symptoms, get tested as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: All of the information in this article has been compiled from third-party sources. Consult a physician immediately to know more about how to deal with the condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can type 1 diabetes cause any complications?

Yes, one of the major complications of type 1 diabetes is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In this condition, patients might experience high levels of blood sugar along with acid build-up. This happens because the body breaks down fat cells when it does not get adequate glucose for energy.

It is an emergency condition and can be life-threatening if not treated right away. Other complications include medical issues concerning kidneys, heart, eyes, nerve, and foot.

Are there any available preventive measures for type 1 diabetes?

No, there aren’t any specific preventive measures available for this diabetic condition yet. However, scientists are running medical trials for the same.

Can type 1 diabetes cause complications during pregnancy?

Yes, pregnant women with type 1 diabetes are more likely to experience preeclampsia, stillbirth, early delivery, and birth defects, among other complications.