Diabetes Type 1
Diabetes Type 1
Diabetes mellitus type 1 is also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. This condition is characterized by little or no insulin production by the pancreas. Onset usually occur during childhood or adolescents.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Thirst increase
- Frequent need to urinate
- Bed-wetting in children who usually didn’t have this issue
- Mood changes
- Vision become blurred
- Unintentional weight loss
- Weakness and fatigue
Causes
Main cause of this condition is unknown but usually own body’s immune system is involved in the development of type 1 diabetes. Immune cells of the body mistakenly attack islet of Langerhans, cells of pancreas that produces insulin. Some other causes are:
- Genetical predisposition
- Viral exposure or other environmental factors
Complications
Complications are:
- Angina and atherosclerosis leading to heart attack, stroke.
- Neuropathy
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation
- Nephropathy
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Damage to the foot
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of this condition depends upon detailed medical history and complete general physical examination of the patient. Other tests include:
- Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test
- Random blood sugar test
- Fasting blood sugar test
Treatment
Treatment options include:
- Taking insulin shots which include long-acting insulin, short-acting (regular) insulin, rapid-acting insulin, intermediate-acting (NPH) insulin
- Other medications prescribed are anti-hypertension drugs, aspirin, cholesterol lowering drugs.
- Counting carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the diet
- Consuming healthy and organic foods
- Increasing physical activities in the routine
- Pancreas transplant could be a potential future treatment.
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Take insulin shots as prescribed
- Be active and exercise regularly
- Pay a lot more attention on your feets to prevent any injury
- Limit smoking
- Quit alcohol consumption