Type 1 diabetes

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What is type 1 diabetes?

Learn more about type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition. In this condition, the pancreas 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.

Symptoms

Type 1 diabetes symptoms can appear suddenly and may include:

  • Feeling more thirsty than usual
  • Urinating a lot
  • Bed-wetting in children 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

When to see a doctor

Talk to your health care provider if you notice any of the above symptoms in you or your child.

Causes

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. Usually, the body’s own immune system — which normally fights harmful bacteria and viruses — destroys the insulin-producing (islet) cells in the pancreas. Other possible causes include:

  • Genetics
  • Exposure to viruses and other environmental factors

The role of insulin

Once a large number of islet cells are destroyed, the body will produce little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that comes from a gland behind and below the stomach (pancreas).

  • The pancreas puts insulin into the bloodstream.
  • Insulin travels through the body, allowing sugar to enter the cells.
  • Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.
  • As the blood sugar level drops, the pancreas puts less insulin into the bloodstream.

The role of glucose

Glucose — a sugar — is a main source of energy for the cells that make up muscles and other tissues.

  • Glucose comes from two major sources: food and the liver.
  • Sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it enters cells with the help of insulin.
  • The liver stores glucose in the form of glycogen.
  • When glucose levels are low, such as when you haven’t eaten in a while, the liver breaks down the stored glycogen into glucose. This keeps glucose levels within a typical range.

In type 1 diabetes, there’s no insulin to let glucose into the cells. Because of this, sugar builds up in the bloodstream. This can cause life-threatening 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 number 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.

Complications

Over time, type 1 diabetes complications can affect major organs in the body. These organs include the heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Having a normal blood sugar level can lower the risk of many complications.

Diabetes complications can lead to disabilities or even threaten your life.

  • Heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes increases the risk of some problems with the heart and blood vessels. These include coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina), heart attack, stroke, narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and high blood pressure.

  • Nerve damage (neuropathy). Too much sugar in the blood can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that feed the nerves. This is especially true in the legs. This can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain. This usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and spreads upward. Poorly controlled blood sugar could cause you to lose all sense of feeling in the affected limbs over time.

    Damage to the nerves that affect the digestive system can cause problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. For men, erectile dysfunction may be an issue.

  • Kidney damage (nephropathy). The kidneys have millions of tiny blood vessels that keep waste from entering the blood. Diabetes can damage this system. Severe damage can lead to kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease that can’t be reversed. End-stage kidney disease needs to be treated with mechanical filtering of the kidneys (dialysis) or a kidney transplant.
  • Eye damage. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the retina (part of the eye that senses light) (diabetic retinopathy). This could cause blindness. Diabetes also increases the risk of other serious vision conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma.
  • Foot damage. Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of some foot complications. Left untreated, cuts and blisters can become serious infections. These infections may need to be treated with toe, foot or leg removal (amputation).
  • Skin and mouth conditions. Diabetes may leave you more prone to infections of the skin and mouth. These include bacterial and fungal infections. Gum disease and dry mouth also are more likely.
  • Pregnancy complications. High blood sugar levels can be dangerous for both the parent and the baby. The risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and birth defects increases when diabetes isn’t well-controlled. For the parent, diabetes increases the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic eye problems (retinopathy), pregnancy-induced high blood pressure and preeclampsia.

Prevention

There’s no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes. But researchers are working on preventing the disease or further damage of the islet cells in people who are newly diagnosed.

Ask your provider if you might be eligible for one of these clinical trials. It is important to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of any treatment available in a trial.

What is Obesity? How to prevent Obesity?

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Obesity is a medical condition characterized by an excess amount of body fat, which presents a risk to health. It is typically defined and measured by the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a calculation based on height and weight. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. Obesity increases the likelihood of developing various health issues, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. It’s caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, dietary habits, physical activity levels, and environmental and psychological factors. Managing and preventing obesity involves a holistic approach, including dietary changes, increased physical activity, and sometimes medical intervention. 

Preventing obesity involves a multifaceted approach focusing on diet, physical activity, and behavioral changes. Here are some key strategies:

1. **Healthy Eating Habits:**

   – **Eat Balanced Meals:** Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

   – **Control Portions:** Pay attention to portion sizes to avoid consuming too many calories.

   – **Limit Sugar and Processed Foods:** Reduce intake of foods high in added sugars and processed foods that are high in calories and low in nutrients.

2. **Regular Physical Activity:**

   – **Stay Active:** Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening exercises on two or more days a week.

   – **Incorporate Activity into Daily Life:** Take the stairs, walk or bike instead of driving, and stand up regularly if you have a sedentary job.

3. **Behavioral Changes:**

   – **Mindful Eating:** Pay attention to what and when you eat. Try to eat slowly and only when you’re actually hungry.

   – **Sleep Well:** Ensure adequate sleep as lack of sleep can affect hormones that regulate hunger and appetite.

   – **Stress Management:** Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as through exercise, meditation, or hobbies, rather than eating.

4. **Preventive Healthcare:**

   – **Regular Check-ups:** Regular visits to a healthcare provider can help monitor your health status and prevent the onset of obesity-related conditions.

   – **Health Education:** Understanding the risks of obesity and being informed about healthy lifestyles can empower individuals to make healthier choices.

5. **Community and Environment:**

   – **Supportive Environments:** Advocate for environments that support healthy living, such as safe parks for physical activity and access to healthy foods.

   – **Policy and Public Health Initiatives:** Support policies that promote nutritional education, physical activity, and equitable access to healthy food options.

Combating obesity is not just about individual actions; it also requires support from communities and policymakers to create environments that facilitate healthy choices and lifestyles.

Heart Disease

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Heart disease refers to a range of conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function. These conditions include coronary artery disease, arrhythmias (heart rhythm problems), heart valve disease, heart infections, and congenital heart defects (heart problems present at birth). Below are key points about heart disease:

### Types of Heart Disease

1. **Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):** The most common type, caused by the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries, which can lead to heart attacks.

2. **Arrhythmias:** Abnormal heart rhythms that can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.

3. **Heart Failure:** A condition in which the heart can’t pump blood effectively to meet the body’s needs.

4. **Valvular Heart Disease:** Involves dysfunction of one or more of the heart valves that regulate blood flow through the heart.

5. **Congenital Heart Defects:** Heart abnormalities present at birth.

6. **Cardiomyopathies:** Diseases of the heart muscle that make it harder for the heart to pump blood to the body.

### Causes and Risk Factors

– **Lifestyle Factors:** Poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.

– **Medical Conditions:** High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease.

– **Genetics:** Family history of heart disease.

– **Age:** The risk increases with age.

– **Sex:** Men are generally at higher risk at a younger age, but the risk for women increases and can surpass that of men after menopause.

### Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the type of heart disease but may include chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, and swelling in the legs (edema).

### Prevention and Treatment

Prevention focuses on lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, and managing stress. Treatment options depend on the type and severity of heart disease and can range from lifestyle changes and medications to invasive procedures like angioplasty or surgery, including heart bypass or valve repair/replacement.

### Importance of Regular Check-ups

Regular medical check-ups can help detect heart disease early. Health professionals can recommend preventive measures and treatments to manage risk factors effectively.

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death globally, but many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices and medical interventions.