What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels, which provide energy to our body’s cells. Without insulin, blood sugar levels can become dangerously high, leading to serious health complications.

The process of the immune system attacking the pancreas starts gradually. Researchers don’t fully understand why it begins, but they know that the earliest stages of T1D may develop years before any symptoms appear. Today, it is possible to screen for autoantibodies, which are markers in the blood that indicate the immune system is attacking the pancreatic cells. Most people who develop T1D test positive for these autoantibodies before they are 5 years old, even though they may not develop symptoms and require insulin until their teenage years or beyond.

Managing Type 1 Diabetes

People with T1D must take insulin every day to manage their blood glucose levels and stay alive. This involves regular monitoring of blood sugar, administering insulin through injections or an insulin pump, and making daily adjustments to diet, exercise, and lifestyle. Managing T1D is a lifelong journey that can be overwhelming, frustrating, scary, and confusing. But with the right support and education, children and adults with T1D can live life to the fullest.

Type 1 Diabetes can develop at any age. It has been diagnosed in infants, senior citizens, and every age in between. Although there is currently no way to prevent or cure T1D, advances in medical care and technology have made it possible for people with T1D to thrive.

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Extreme hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision

If you or a loved one experience these symptoms, it is essential to seek medical advice promptly.

How is Type 1 Diabetes Different from Type 2 Diabetes?

While both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes affect how the body regulates blood sugar, they have different causes and management approaches.

• Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disorder. The immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and people with T1D must take insulin every day to manage their blood glucose levels. It is not linked to lifestyle factors, and there is currently no known way to prevent it. Screening for autoantibodies can help identify those at risk before symptoms start.
• Type 2 Diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin. Type 2 Diabetes is more often linked to lifestyle factors such as diet, lack of exercise, and being overweight, though genetics also play a role. It is more common in adults, though it can develop at any age. Management may involve lifestyle changes, oral medications, and sometimes insulin.

Though both conditions require lifelong care, the approaches to treatment and management differ significantly.