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…occurs as a result of
the pancreas not being able to make enough insulin. Without insulin, the body can't use
glucose (sugar) for energy, which is vital for health and to feel good. Type 1 diabetes can begin at any age,
but it usually occurs in children and young adults. It’s exact cause is unknown, but likely
includes immune factors (the body produces antibodies against the pancreas’
cells that make insulin), viral factors, and heredity. Injury to the pancreas can also lead to
diabetes.
Symptoms
When insulin isn’t
available, blood glucose levels continue to rise. The body tries to get rid of some of the
extra glucose by removing it in the urine. This takes a lot of water with it, so you may have to go to the bathroom
more often than usual, and you can get very thirsty. Drinking lots of liquids still doesn’t
seem to help.
Without enough insulin,
there is too much glucose in the blood, and not enough in the cells. This "starves" your cells - even if
you've just eaten- you may still feel hungry. Some people feel dizzy, or have a
stomach ache.
If
our fuel source, glucose, isn’t available because of no insulin, our body will
switch to burning body fat or even protein (from muscles) for energy. Fat and protein aren't good energy
sources, so you may feel tired. When the body has to rely on these other fuels too long, you can lose
weight and feel weak even though you are eating a lot. Some people feel grouchy, irritable and
depressed when the blood sugar level is high.
Fixing the Problem in Type 1 Diabetes: Replacing Insulin
In
order to begin feeling better (and keep living!), the problem of not enough
insulin needs to get fixed. The main treatment is to replace the insulin your
body no longer makes. Insulin is a
protein, so it can’t be swallowed as a pill. It is injected under the skin.
As you manage your
diabetes, you will learn how to match the insulin doses with your food and
activity. Paying attention to
carbohydrate intake and meal/snack timing will help.
With diabetes, the challenge
is matching the dose of insulin to the amount your body needs for health. Before
you had diabetes, you were able to eat any amount of food, at any time, and your
pancreas would exactly match it with insulin.
Now, matching insulin to
food becomes a job you have to do yourself. Managing your diabetes includes
testing your BG regularly. Decision making by reviewing your BG and relating
them to your food, activities and insulin dosages is a learned process. Your doctor or diabetes educator will
teach you how to do this. It takes practice, patience, and problem-solving. The
more you practice, the easier it gets to make decisions.
By
recording information on diet, insulin, and exercise, you and your health care
provider can review patterns to get and keep your diabetes controlled. This will help you feel better, and keep
you healthy.
Controlling BG levels can make a big difference in your
future health.
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