What is type 1 diabetes?

Diabetes type 1 or IDDM (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or insulin-dependent) is a chronic disease of the pancreas which destroys insulin-producing cells. All body cells require insulin (a hormone that is released in response to the increase in the amount of glucose, a sugar in the blood) for glucose to enter body cells, especially in the liver. If the amount of insulin the pancreas is insufficient, glucose accumulates in the blood. When the amount of glucose exceeds a certain limit are eliminated by the kidney and also appears in the urine (this is called glucosuria).



The aim of insulin therapy is to control the amount of glucose (sugar) levels so that their levels are as close to normal.
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Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age but usually begins in childhood and adolescence. All patients with type 1 diabetes need to inject insulin to prevent complications caused by the lack of this hormone.

What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?

Extreme thirst and hunger continues

Increased urination

Fatigue

Weight loss (although usually increased appetite)

Pruritus (itching), especially in the genital area

Recurrent infections of the skin, vagina and cystitis

If any other member of your family have diabetes and you have any of the above symptoms continuously, it is important to see your doctor to check for diabetes. Immediate relatives (siblings or children) of patients with type I diabetes are between 5% and 10% chance of developing it.

What is the treatment of type 1 diabetes?

Diabetes is treated:

Insulin injections

Staying physically active and exercising regularly

Maintaining a stable weight

Wearing a proper diet to control the amounts of carbohydrates, fat and protein you eat

The aim of insulin therapy is to control the amount of glucose (sugar) levels so that their levels are as close to normal. Insulin doses must be tailored to the needs of each patient. The process begins with the first injection of insulin and must be accompanied by a diet to include quantities and correct types of food as well as an exercise program.



Interest
You can find related articles in our ' Diabetes '

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For advice you should contact your hospital, where there will be a specialist in endocrinology. Do not hesitate to ask for advice and guidance.

Methods of self

Learn to recognize and keep watch for signs that indicate if glucose is too high or too low.

Learn to measure glucose in blood and check it regularly. The apparatus to measure blood glucose is very important to you, letting you know that has glucose in the blood and adjust insulin doses.

Try to stick to the diet for diabetics as thoroughly as possible.

Learn how to inject insulin. You will need the rest of his life.

Always carry glucose or sugar by hand for the treatment of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Sometimes, when hypoglycemia is severe, you may need an injection of glucagon (a hormone with the opposite effect to insulin).

See your doctor regularly to adjust the insulin dose and schedule revisions to the eyes, kidneys and feet and watch for any sign of long-term complications of diabetes. It is also important to periodically check the figures for blood pressure , cholesterol , triglycerides and creatinine.

Call your doctor if it gets really sick, especially if you have high fever or acetone in the urine or if you are diagnosed with other illnesses.

Take a "record of blood glucose" to record glucose levels, which can then help your doctor to adjust the treatment to their own characteristics.

Physical Activity

Exercise is highly recommended. However, be aware that you may need to adjust insulin doses based on the exercise you have done or plan to do. If you get the same dose of insulin and exercise much glucose can get too and hypoglycaemia.

Eat a healthy diet

A healthy and balanced diet that is low in animal fats and high in carbohydrates (like pasta, rice, potatoes or vegetables) is very important. Try eating the same amount of carbohydrates every day. You should also try to make three large meals and two to three snacks a day.



Questions?
NetDoctor resolved in the ' Ask the doctor '

Control of type I diabetes
Glucose and the possibility of diabetic

Can you do something to prevent type 1 diabetes?

At present this type of diabetes is not preventable, but many scientific studies are underway to determine the cause, improve treatment and prevent disease.

Possible complications

Diabetes has many complications that the patient should know because it can delay and even avoid its evolution with appropriate supervision.

Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) can cause cerebral thrombosis and heart disease as angina and myocardial infarction and significant decrease in blood flow in the legs.

Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease due to diabetes).

Diabetic retinopathy (disease of the retina due to diabetes).

Diabetic neuropathy (nerve degeneration) often affects the nerves in the legs and produce sensory disturbances and infections in the feet.

Vascular disorders in members carrying even gangrene.

Susceptibility to infections, especially urinary tract infections.

Decreases blood sugar (hypoglycemia) that can cause blackouts.

Sugar rises trigger a ketoacidosis .



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Long term forecasts

This type of diabetes is currently no cure but with proper treatment, which attempts to maintain glucose levels at a normal level as possible, can significantly reduce the risk of complications, both immediate (hypoglycaemia and ketoacidosis) and long term.