Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is a disease that is caused by the bodies failure to produce insulin (specifically the pancreas), which prevents other cells in the body from getting the sugar they need and causing sugar to build up in the blood.
Juvenile Diabetes
Most commonly known as "Juvenile Diabetes" (since it typically starts in childhood), it is a disease with no known cure, though people live very long and healthy lives with Diabetes.About 5% to 10% of people with Diabetes have Type 1 Diabetes.
- About 1 in every 400 children and adolescents has Type 1 Diabetes.
- Type 1 Diabetes most often develops in girls around 10 to 12 years of age and in boys around 12 to 14 years of age.
- The incidence of Type 1 Diabetes seems to be increasing, and there appears to be an increase among young children, especially from birth to age 4. It is not clear why this is occurring.
- White people have a higher rate of type 1 diabetes than other racial groups.
While it is true that some people have a predisposition to developing diabetes (because a parent, brother or sister has it), most people who develop Type 1 Diabetes have no family history of the disease.
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes include:
- Being very thirsty
- Urinating a lot
- Losing weight without trying
- Being hungrier than usual (sometimes)
Often symptoms appear over a few days or weeks and may be more noticeable after an illness, such as the flu. Unfortunately, they may think that the diabetes symptoms are because of the flu, and may not seek medical care.
Waiting too long to get proper medical care may result in diabetic ketoacidosis.
Symptoms of Diabetic ketoacidosis include:
- Flushed, hot, dry skin
- Not feeling hungry
- Belly pain
- Vomiting
- A strong, fruity breath odor
- Fast and shallow breathing
- Restlessness, drowsiness, or trouble waking up
- Confusion
Type 1 Diabetes is caused by the body's immune system destroying beta cells which produces insulin resulting in the person not being able to create their own supply of insulin to keep the body healthy. Enteroviruses, such as Coxsackie viruses and echoviruses, which live in the intestines of humans and other animals, may contribute to the possibility of developing Type 1 Diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes Health Problems
If not controlled, diabetes can cause complications that can affect nearly every organ in the body, including:The heart and blood vessels: Many studies show that controlling diabetes can prevent or stop the progression of heart and blood vessel disease in diabetics. Left uncontrolled, blood vessel damage can lead to a host of problems including potential amputation of the leg and foot (more than 60% of amputations are due to diabetes).
The eyes: The leading cause of blindness in the United States, Diabetes can cause glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. Left untreated these diseases of the eye may potentially lead to blindness.
The kidneys: Typically treated with medications that would lower blood pressure (even if you don't have high blood pressure), Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure in the United States.
The nerves: High Blood Glucose levels can cause loss of feeling in the feet. Early symptoms of this type of damage is often a burning sensation in the feet; left unchecked diabetes can cause pain in the legs, arms, and hands, and can cause problems with digestion, going to the bathroom, or having sex.
The gums and teeth: It is unknown why people with Type 1 Diabetes have a higher risk for gum disease. This can be prevented by having a good oral care routine and seeing your dentist regularly.
If you or your child has any symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes it is highly recommended that you contact your physician to rule this disease out.
Citations
1. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005). National Diabetes Fact Sheet. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available online: http://www.diabetes.org/uedocuments/NationalDiabetesFactSheetRev.pdf.
2. Devendra D, et al. (2004). Type 1 diabetes: Recent developments. BMJ, 328(7442): 750-754.
