Type 1 Diabetes

About Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. It affects approximately 8 million people worldwide. Unlike type 2, type 1 is not caused by lifestyle factors. The disease can occur at any age but is most commonly diagnosed in children, adolescents, and young adults. Symptoms develop rapidly and include excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss despite increased hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. Diabetic ketoacidosis DKA is a life threatening complication in which the body breaks down fat for energy, producing ketones that acidify the blood. DKA is the first sign of type 1 diabetes in a substantial proportion of newly diagnosed children. Symptoms of DKA such as vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid deep breathing, fruity smelling breath, drowsiness, or confusion are a medical emergency; call your local emergency number. Treatment requires lifelong insulin therapy via injections or insulin pump, with continuous glucose monitoring CGM systems. The artificial pancreas closed loop system that automatically adjusts insulin delivery is a major advance. Blood glucose targets must balance preventing complications of high glucose against the risk of hypoglycemia low blood sugar, which can cause confusion, seizures, and coma; severe hypoglycemia with unconsciousness or seizures is also a medical emergency.