Diabetes is a chronic (persistent or continual) disease caused by an excess of glucose (a simple sugar) in the blood stream of a person. This can happen for two reasons. One, the pancreas is unable to produce sufficient insulin to supply the body’s needs. Two, the body is not able to utilize the insulin properly.

Diabetes generally falls into two main categories: Type 1 and Type 2. In this article we will examine the first type:

Type 1 Diabetes - What is it?
Diabetes type 1 (also known as insulin dependent diabetes and juvenile diabetes) occurs when the pancreas is not able to produce insulin (the pancreas cells have been destroyed) and since we cannot live without it, insulin is injected to supplement the deficiency. Type 1 diabetes is perhaps one of the most common chronic diseases among children today. Unlike type 2 diabetes, it is not caused by external factors such as lifestyle habits. It is estimated that some 10-15 percent of diabetics have type 1 diabetes. A whopping 90% of diabetes in children is type 1.

While type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed at any age, it is usually discovered in children and early stages of adulthood. Symptoms will arise suddenly and can include an insatiable thirst, loss of weight (unexplained), irritability, tiredness, and frequent visits to the toilet to urinate.

The treatment for type 1 diabetes requires the administration of lifelong injections of insulin on a daily basis. Along with this will be regular monitoring of the glucose levels in your blood to determine the amount of insulin required. A regular routine of physical exercise and a healthy diet and eating plan should also be implemented to reduce the complications
associated with type 1 diabetes.

The complications associated with diabetes type 1 can be serious and life-threatening. These include, kidney damage, damage to the eyes, reduced blood circulations to lower limbs resulting in amputation, increased likelihood of heart disease and stroke.

While diabetic research continues, at this time there is no known cure diabetes type 1 but what is known is that a healthier lifestyle choice is helpful in managing the disease.

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