What is Type 1 Diabetes?
According to Mayo Clinic, Type 1 Diabetes is defined as a chronic condition where the pancreas does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone in the body that helps sugar enter the cells which
then produces energy.
Signs & Symptoms
- Frequent urination
- Extreme hunger
- Increased thirst
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Treatment
Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes is taking insulin such as Humalog, Novolog, Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo, and Tresiba.
**You should always consult with your Doctor about which insulin is right for you**
Risk Factors
- Family History
- Genetics
- Age (Two peak age groups: 4-7 years old and 10-14 years old)
- Geography (studies show risk increases the farther you move away from the equator)
Complications
If your blood sugar levels are not maintained, Type 1 Diabetes can take a toll on major organs like the heart, blood vessels, eyes, nerves, and kidneys.
- Heart/blood vessels: Increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure (hypertension), and atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries).
- Eyes: Increased risk of Diabetic Retinopathy if diabetes goes unmanaged. This is an eye disease that can cause severe vision loss or blindness for people who have diabetes and often affects the blood vessels in the back of the eye (retina).
- Nerves: Increased risk of neuropathy (nerve damage) can occur due to excess sugars causing damage to the walls of blood vessels often found in legs. This often leads to loss of feeling and then amputation of extremities and limbs.
- Kidney: Increased risk of kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease/renal failure which may lead to dialysis treatment and/or high risk transplants.
- Amputations: Increased risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD) which causes blood vessels to narrow and reduces blood flow to feet. This may lead to amputation since the feet or legs completely lose feeling and any cut or injury to the foot can cause severe tissue damage.