What is Diabetes Type 1?

Several literatures both medical and educational have defined the said condition as a chronic disease of metabolic system brought about by genetics and lifestyle. Diabetes type 1 or more commonly referred to as type 1 diabetes is characterized primarily by a high level of blood sugar or glucose, way beyond the normal limits. It occurs at any age though it commonly affects children, adolescents and young adults.
Diabetes type 1 is formerly known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Research and studies show that the said disease has no specific treatment. However, after years of studying the trend of the condition, several management approaches are now used in order to treat diabetes. Through proper management, people with this kind of ailment can expect to live longer, healthier and can now mingle with unaffected individuals with no limitations or whatsoever.

What really happens in diabetes type 1?

There are actually two major types of diabetes – diabetes type 1 and diabetes type 2. The latter occurs mostly in adults because of the cells’ insensitivity to the hormone insulin. The hormone has a very special role in metabolizing the sugar or glucose (mainly, carbohydrates) from the food that people eat. When its number is insufficient, there will be difficulty in the metabolism of the said macronutrient and this could lead to its accumulation in the bloodstream, thus raising the level of sugar in the blood. This is the scenario seen in the former type of diabetes.
The hormone insulin is produced by the metabolic organ of the body known as pancreas. Once the pancreas is damaged, it will produce less of the insulin hormone. Since it is mostly caused by genetic factors, an individual predisposed to diabetes type 1 cannot avoid or prevent it. However, the condition can be delayed or its intensity can be minimized through proper care and prompt intervention.

What to do with diabetes type 1?

It is important to detect diabetes type 1 as early as possible in order to institute proper management. The entire treatment course depends largely on the extent of the disease and the affected individual, his or her lifestyle, work, eating habits and several other variables. To do this, a diagnosis must be made and this can be done by taking a blood sample from the affected individual. The sample drawn will be analyzed for its sugar level through a hemo-gluco test (HGT). The normal result is from 60 to 110 mg/dL. A reading higher than that may be considered unhealthy.
If other diagnostic tests point out a diabetes type 1 condition, the first approach is to lower down the blood sugar level through insulin injections. Aside from that, diet and exercise must be instituted also with reverence to the blood sugar level in order to help maintain a normal range. Lastly, consistent and continuous monitoring of the level must be done in order to detect fluctuations and prevent complications.
What was considered as deadly disease is actually something that can be treated easily. Diabetes type 1 is no longer feared nowadays since it can be managed right through insulin therapy, diet, exercise and blood sugar level monitoring. A healthier and more meaningful life can be achieved.