What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 is more severe type of diabetes. Sometimes it is called ‘juvenile’ diabetes because usually it develops among children and teenagers, though persons of any age can have it. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system of the body is mistaken and sees the insulin producing cells in pancreas as foreign objects and destroys them. This disease is known as ‘autoimmune’. The typical cells of the pancreas called ‘islets’ are the ones that sense glucose in the blood. As a response, they produce required amount of insulin to normalize the amount of glucose in the blood.

Insulin is the main key to get out the energy out of glucose molecules. In the absence of insulin, the glucose stays in the blood and does not reach to every cell. As a result, the cells of the body do not get necessary glucose to get energy out of glucose and thus starve. If this condition is left un-attended, the sugar or glucose level in the blood increases. If this continues for long, this condition can damage the kidneys, nerves and the heart. This can further lead to coma and death in extreme conditions.

A person having type 1 diabetes tries to treat it by taking additional amount of insulin to treat excessive glucose in the blood. This outside source of insulin is the key that breaks up glucose molecules and the energy reaches to all the cells making the body possible to perform all life activities. One problem that the person suffering from type 1 diabetes often has is that he is not well aware how much amount of insulin is needed for his body on regular basis. Many factors are involved in the decision of amount of insulin. These factors include food, exercise, stress and general health. These factors fluctuate throughout the day that makes it hard to determine the amount of insulin to be taken every day. If you take too much insulin, major part of the glucose in your body will be utilized and blood sugar level will be decreased to a dangerous level. If untreated, this is life threatening.