Diabetes Type I
Other names: Diabetes Mellitus Type I, Type 1 diabetes,
T1D, T1DM, IDDM, juvenile diabetes
Diabetes Type I is the autoimmune
form of diabetes when the immune system attacks the
pancreas, and causes a lack of insulin production.
Insulin is needed for the body to absorb and use sugar
(glucose), so when insulin is reduced, the body is
unable to convert sugar to energy and the sugar builds
up in the blood instead. The build up of the blood
sugar can cause other complications with the heart,
eyes, kidneys, nerves, gums and teeth. Some of the
symptoms of Diabetes Type I may include being thirsty,
urinating frequently, dry and itchy skin, sores that
don't heal or heal very slowly, and blurry vision.
Diabetes Type I occurs when the body's immune system
attacks the pancreas and results in the low insulin,
where Diabetes Type II occurs when the body doesn't
respond to insulin or just stops producing enough
insulin. Diabetes Type I was formerly known as juvenile
diabetes, because it typically develops in childhood
years, but it can attack at any age. In may adult
cases, Diabetes Type I is misdiagnosed as Type II.
The exact cause of Diabetes Type I isn't known, but
genetics and viral infections are suspected. There
is no cure, but it can be managed with insulin replacement
therapy.
Symptoms:
Abdominal cramps
Abdominal pain
Abdominal tenderness
Bleeding gums
Blurry vision
Deep and fast breathing
Excessive irritability
Extremely hungry
Frequent gum infections
Frequent urinating
Headaches
High volume of urine
Itchy skin
Seizures
Slow healing of cuts, sores and bruises
Vomiting
Unintentional weight loss
Diagnosis:
Blood tests are used to confirm a diagnosis of Diabetes
Type I. The Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) Test is recommended,
but doctors may also use either a random blood sugar
test or fasting blood sugar test if the A1C test cannot
be performed.
Blood tests may show:
Elevated Fructosamine
Elevated Glucose (Gluc)
Elevated Glycosylated Hemoglobin
Other blood tests may be performed to determine if
the Diabetes is the autoimmune type or not.
Treatment:
Typical treatment for Diabetes Type I is insulin
replacement therapy in the form of insulin injections,
and the therapy is usually life-long.
Prognosis:
With insulin replacement therapy and lifestyle adjustments,
Diabetes Type I sufferers can live normal, healthy
lives.
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