Type 1 Diabetes

Definition of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes (formerly called Juvenile Diabetes) is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. A diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes means that your pancreas either doesn't produce any insulin or not enough insulin. Without insulin, your body's cells can't use glucose. This is because insulin acts as a bridge into your cells from your blood system. Your glucose can't enter your cells without the bridge of insulin. So this leads to too much glucose in your blood and not enough glucose getting into your body's cells. The lack of glucose leads to your body feeling tired and weak and you will lose weight even though you aren't even trying to.

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

• Increased production of urine (because the body tries to get rid of the excess glucose in the urine, diluting it with water)
• Excessive thirst
• Fatigue (because the glucose is not being converted into energy),
• Loss of weight
• Increased appetite
• Feeling sick
• Blurred vision

Causes of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body's defense system system attacks some of the body's own cells. In type 1 diabetes, the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed, and therefore they are no longer capable of making insulin.

Physicians don't know exactly why this happens, but they do know that some people are born with a tendency to develop diabetes. Then something "triggers" the onset of the disease. It may be a virus that triggers the onset, or it may be something in the environment. There is nothing a parent can do to prevent this from happening.

Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes

Image of Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes is not something that one can get one treatment for and it will go away. It will need attention every day many times a day. It also requires knowledge on how to cope with special occasions, sickness, and emergencies. As the child's family, you will be the experts on your child's illness. Even though there is no cure for diabetes, it can be controlled. Insulin injections will enable your child to recover quickly from the acute phase. With good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, children with diabetes can grow and develop normally.

Type 1 Diabetes is a disease that affects the whole family. Parents will need to work together to share the responsibilities of learning about diabetes, proper diet and how to check your child's insulin level. As your child matures, you will need to give them the opportunity to take care of their condition (under your supervision) with the goal of them managing their diabetes on their own. And lastly, don't smother your child. It is hard not to worry, but give them the freedom to grow up. They can live a normal life as long as they follow the routine that their doctor sets up for them.

Living With Type 1 Diabetes

Your child's physician will help you to come up with a routine that will best suit your child in the days ahead once you get over the acute condition that led to the diagnosis. Each child and situation is going to be a bit different, but here are some basic steps you will probably have to follow.

• Test blood sugar levels at least twice a day and keep track of the results
• Take insulin shots as prescribed by your physician and learn how to adjust insulin when necessary (your physician can help with that)
• Eat meals that are about the same size and try to eat them at the same times each day
• Eat healthy snacks to prevent drops in blood sugar between meals
• Know what to do if there is a drop in blood sugar
• Exercise regularly
• Know how to test for ketones and what to do if levels are high
• Know what to do when your child is sick with colds or flu