Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes happens when the body stops making insulin, the hormone that moves sugar from the blood into the cells. It usually starts in children, teenagers or young adults and is not caused by eating sweets. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin every day for life; without it they quickly become dangerously ill.
Symptoms
- Strong thirst and drinking a lot
- Passing urine very often; bedwetting in a child who was dry before
- Weight loss even though eating well
- Tiredness and weakness
- Blurred vision
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and fast breathing (signs of a dangerous emergency)
Causes
- The immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin
- A family history raises the risk a little
- The exact trigger is not known
- It is not caused by eating sweets or by anything the parents did
Prevention
- Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented
- Early diagnosis prevents dangerous illness: test the blood sugar of any child with heavy thirst, frequent urine and weight loss
- Take insulin every day, even when sick
- Check blood sugar regularly and always carry sugar or sweets in case of low sugar
Treatment
- Insulin injections every day; the type and dose are set by the doctor
- Checking blood sugar at home with a glucometer
- Regular meals, and learning how food and activity change blood sugar
- Knowing how to treat low sugar (a sweet drink or sugar, then food)
- Regular check-ups of the eyes, kidneys, feet and, in children, growth
- Never stop insulin on your own, even during illness
Common questions
Can my child live a normal life with type 1 diabetes?
Yes. With daily insulin, regular sugar checks and family support, children with type 1 diabetes can go to school, play sport, marry and have children of their own.
Can tablets replace insulin in type 1 diabetes?
No. In type 1 diabetes the body makes no insulin, so the tablets used for type 2 diabetes do not work. Insulin is life-saving and must never be stopped; herbal remedies cannot replace it.