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Type I Diabetes Information and Resources

TYPE 1 DIABETES

Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition. In this condition, the pancrease makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. Different factors, such as genetics and some viruses, may cause type 1 diabetes. Although type 1 diabetes usually appears during childhood or adolescence, it can develop in adults. Even after a lot of research, type 1 diabetes has no cure. Treatment is directed toward managing the amount of sugar in the blood using insulin, diet and lifestyle to prevent complications.

RISK FACTORS

Some factors that can raise your risk for type 1 diabetes include:

  • Family history: anyone with a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes has a slightly higher risk of developing the condition.
  • Genetics: having certain genes increases the risk of developing type 1 diabetes
  • Geography: the numbe of people who have type 1 diabetes tends to be higher as you travel away from the equator.
  • Age: type 1 diabetes can appear at any age, but it appears at two noticeable peaks. The first peak occurs in children between 4 and 7 years old. The second is in children between 10 and 14 years old. 

SYMPTOMS AND WARNING SIGNS

Type 1 diabetes symptoms can appear suddnely and may include:

  • feeling more thirsty than usual
  • urinating a lot (especially at night)
  • bed-wetting in chidlren who have never wet the bed during the night
  • feeling very hungry
  • losing weight without trying
  • feeling irritable or having other mood changes
  • feeling tired and weak
  • having blurry vision
  • heavy breathaing: labored breathing can occur when ketones build up in the blood

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can develop quickly in children over a few hours or days, but in adults it can take a few days or weeks. Talk to your child’s health care provider if you notice any of the above symptoms in your child. Consulting with your primary care provider will help determine if immediate screening for type 1 diabetes is appropriate. The primary screening test for type 1 diabetes is a random blood sugar test. Your provider may also use a fasting blood sugar test. If your child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, your provider will develpo an appropriate treatment plan, which may include consultation with and examination by a speciality care provider, including, but not limited to, a properly qualified endocrinologist. 

 

The following resources are available for additional information about Type 1 Diabetes: