disease

Type 1 Diabetes

also: Juvenile DiabetesInsulin-dependent Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune form of DIABETES in which the immune system damages INSULIN-producing cells in the PANCREAS.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE in which the body's IMMUNE SYSTEM attacks beta cells of the PANCREAS that produce INSULIN. This results in little or no insulin production, causing increased BLOOD GLUCOSE levels. It often begins during childhood or adolescence but can develop at any age. Treatment usually requires insulin replacement and regular blood glucose monitoring.

Type 1 diabetes happens when the body cannot make enough insulin because the cells that produce it are damaged.

• Autoimmune form of diabetes • Usually caused by destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells • Leads to very low insulin production • Often develops in children or young adults • Requires insulin treatment • Different from Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes means your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are too high. With type 1 diabetes, your pancreas does not make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into your cells to give them energy. Without insulin, too much glucose stays in your blood. Over time, high blood glucose can lead to serious problems with your heart, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and gums and teeth.

Type 1 diabetes happens most often in children and young adults but can appear at any age. Symptoms may include:

Being very thirsty
Urinating often
Feeling very hungry or tired
Losing weight without trying
Having sores that heal slowly
Having dry, itchy skin
Losing the feeling in your feet or having tingling in your feet
Having blurry eyesight

A blood test can show if you have diabetes. If you do, you will need to take insulin for the rest of your life. A blood test called the A1C can check to see how well you are managing your diabetes.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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Type 1 Diabetes

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