What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
Individuals having type 1 diabetes can’t use glucose for energy. Glucose is the body’s major type of sugar. That’s due to their body stopped producing the hormone insulin. Generally, after a person eats food, the amount of blood sugar rises. When it does, the pancreas sends insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin acts like a key that opens the doors of the body’s cells. The key lets the sugar in, providing the cells the energy they require. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas fails to produce insulin. Without insulin, sugar can’t enter the cells. It remains in the bloodstream, resulting in high blood glucose. Having excess of glucose in the blood isn’t healthy and may result in problems. Some issues occur rapidly and require treatment right away. While, others develop gradually and show up later in life.
What occurs in Type 1 Diabetes?
In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks and damages the pancreatic cells producing insulin. Hence, the body fails to produce insulin to any further extent. This is dissimilar from type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, a person’s body still makes insulin, yet the insulin fails to work as the way it should.
Why few individuals get Type 1 Diabetes?
Nobody is certain why few individuals get type 1 diabetes. Doctors believe an individual’s genes produce them more likely to get it. Just having the genes for diabetes perhaps isn’t sufficient. It’s possible that something else requires to occur. Scientists are studying if other things such as viral infections, birth weight of a person, or diet may make any person who already has the genes for type 1 diabetes more expected to get it. Prevent type 1 diabetes and might occur in individuals of any age.
Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes might arise over time or abruptly. At times, kids don’t have diabetes signs yet. Discovery of the condition occurs when blood or urine tests are performed. Kids who show signs might:
- require peeing a lot
- feel fatigued often
- begin to wet the bed after having been dry at night
- lose weight
- be thirstier and drink more than normal
Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes
Doctors make use of a blood test. It evaluates the amount of sugar in the blood. High blood glucose levels state that a kid has diabetes. Healthcare provider would do more blood tests to discover what type it is. Kids with type 1 diabetes often visit a pediatric endocrinologist. This type of healthcare provider finds and treats issues influencing hormones such as diabetes.
How to treat Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes requires permanent treatment. As, there is no treatment yet. Healthcare providers treat type 1 diabetes utilizing a diabetes management plan. The care plan tells an individual the things to do daily. This helps keep sugar levels in a healthy limit.
Child’s diabetes care plan is specific to an individual. But all plans have similar 4 basic parts:
- use insulin (either by injection or an insulin pump)
- consume a healthy, balanced diet. This involves carb counting
- track the glucose levels at least 4 times a day
- get regular physical activity
Following the diabetes care program aids kids stay healthy, now and into the future.
Problems that may crop up with Type 1 Diabetes
Not having the appropriate amount of glucose in the blood may cause:
- hyperglycemia: this occurs when the glucose levels are too high. Kids with hyperglycemia can be extra thirsty, lose weight, and pee more than normal. There is a treatment for high blood glucose levels. If they aren’t, might can develop health problems later in life.
- diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): This severe condition requires an immediate treatment. When there’s not enough insulin in the body, the body begins to break down fat rather than glucose. Signs of DKA are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and rapid heart rate. And, in serious cases, unconsciousness.
- hypoglycemia: This occurs blood glucose levels are too low. This condition may sometime occur when individuals are being treated for diabetes. Signs are fatigue, headache, nervousness, shakiness, and sweating.
- growth and development problems: few kids may grow slower than their peers. Or, their puberty may begin later than normal. That too, when kids begin growing into adults.
How Can Parents Help?
- Get involved with daily care. Parents can help their kids put their care plan into action every day. These may include carb counting, calculation of insulin doses, and giving injections.
- Learn about diabetes. The more a person knows about type 1 diabetes, the more assured a person can feel about helping the kid manage it day to day. And a solid thought of diabetes lets a person advocate for the child.
- Encourage the child. Remind a child that many kids of their age experience type 1 diabetes. And, they follow a similar care plan.
Having a child with type 1 diabetes may appear irresistible sometimes. However, he or she is not alone. In case of any questions or problems, reach out to the kid’s diabetes care team.
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