Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEffects on BodyIs It Genetic?CausesSymptomsType 1 vs. Type 2 DiabetesTestingTreatmentLifestyle ManagementComplicationsLife Expectancy
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Effects on Body
Is It Genetic?
Causes
Symptoms
Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes
Testing
Treatment
Lifestyle Management
Complications
Life Expectancy
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in thepancreas. This leads to little to no insulin in the body and causes high blood sugar levels.
There’s nocurefor the condition. If leftunmanaged,type 1 diabetes can lead to serious health complications, such as amputation or vision loss, so caring for yourself is vital with this condition.
This article covers everything someone newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes needs to know, from symptoms and causes to treatment and lifestyle changes.
Insulin helps transport glucose from the bloodstream with the help of glucose transporters.
What Does Type 1 Diabetes Do to the Body?
Over time, less and less insulin is produced. This leads to less glucose being available to enter the cells in your body to be used for energy, causinghigh blood glucose levels.
If not treated, high blood glucose levels can lead to serious health complications, including oral health problems, kidney disease, vision loss, and amputation of extremities.
Is Type 1 Diabetes Genetic?
Type 1 diabetes seems to have a genetic component. Having a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes increases your risk of developing the condition.
Most people who develop type 1 diabetes have inherited certain genes from both parents.Therefore, having certain genes from both parents increases the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
However, not all people who are at risk will go on to develop type 1 diabetes. A trigger in the environment might initiate the autoimmune response that leads to type 1 diabetes.
In the United States, non-Hispanic White adults have the highest rate of type 1 diabetes.Because of this, experts suspect these genes are more common in White people.
These Self-Care Strategies Helped Me Manage Type 1 Diabetes
What Causes Type 1 Diabetes?
One of the biggest known risk factors for type 1 diabetes is having a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes. While you can develop type 1 diabetes at any age, it is more commonly diagnosed in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
Type 1 diabetes symptoms tend to come on suddenly. They include:
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes in Children
In addition to the above symptoms, children may have other symptoms of type 1 diabetes. These include:
What Is Diabetic Ketoacidosis?Diabetic ketoacidosis(DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes. It is more common in people with type 1 diabetes compared to people with type 2 diabetes. DKA develops when your body doesn’t have enough insulin to move blood glucose into cells to be used as fuel for the body, leading to very high blood glucose levels.Glucose is the body’s preferred energy source. When there is no glucose readily available, the body turns to breaking down fat as its source of energy. In this process of breaking down fat, acids calledketonesare produced.When too many ketones build up too fast in the body, it can be life-threatening.Signs and symptoms of DKA include:Extreme thirstFrequent urinationExtreme fatigueFast, labored breathingDry skin and mouthFlushed faceFruity-smelling breathHeadacheMuscle stiffness or achesNausea and vomitingStomach painSeek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing DKA or has high ketones in their urine.
What Is Diabetic Ketoacidosis?
Diabetic ketoacidosis(DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes. It is more common in people with type 1 diabetes compared to people with type 2 diabetes. DKA develops when your body doesn’t have enough insulin to move blood glucose into cells to be used as fuel for the body, leading to very high blood glucose levels.Glucose is the body’s preferred energy source. When there is no glucose readily available, the body turns to breaking down fat as its source of energy. In this process of breaking down fat, acids calledketonesare produced.When too many ketones build up too fast in the body, it can be life-threatening.Signs and symptoms of DKA include:Extreme thirstFrequent urinationExtreme fatigueFast, labored breathingDry skin and mouthFlushed faceFruity-smelling breathHeadacheMuscle stiffness or achesNausea and vomitingStomach painSeek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing DKA or has high ketones in their urine.
Diabetic ketoacidosis(DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes. It is more common in people with type 1 diabetes compared to people with type 2 diabetes. DKA develops when your body doesn’t have enough insulin to move blood glucose into cells to be used as fuel for the body, leading to very high blood glucose levels.
Glucose is the body’s preferred energy source. When there is no glucose readily available, the body turns to breaking down fat as its source of energy. In this process of breaking down fat, acids calledketonesare produced.
When too many ketones build up too fast in the body, it can be life-threatening.
Signs and symptoms of DKA include:
Seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing DKA or has high ketones in their urine.
Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes: What’s the Difference?
While high blood glucose levels characterize bothtype 1 and type 2 diabetes, these conditions do not have the same causes and may have very different treatment plans.
The signs and symptoms of diabetes are similar in both type 1 and type 2. However, type 1 diabetes symptoms tend to come on suddenly, while type 2 diabetes symptoms tend to appear more gradually. Some people with type 2 diabetes may not notice symptoms at all.
Type 2 diabetes is most commonly diagnosed in people aged 45 years or older, whereas type 1 diabetes is more frequently diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults. Because of this, type 1 diabetes was previously referred to as juvenile diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is not an autoimmune condition. Instead, it is a chronic medical condition that occurs due to multiple factors, including certain lifestyle habits and genetics.
Insulin resistance(when your cells don’t respond properly to insulin) is typically seen in people with type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is often the main cause of high blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes may be able to be prevented or delayed. On the other hand, type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented or cured.
Because their body no longer makes insulin, people with type 1 diabetes require insulin (via injection, pump, or inhalation) as part of their daily diabetes management.
Treatment for people with type 2 diabetes includes healthy lifestyle habits, such as a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and getting to and maintaining a healthy weight. It may also include oral or injectable medications.
People with type 1 diabetes need to monitor their blood glucose levels frequently throughout the day, while people with type 2 diabetes may not have to check their blood glucose levels as often.
Testing for Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes is diagnosed using a blood test that checks your blood glucose levels. A healthcare provider may perform the following tests, which indicate diabetes at the levels cited:
If your healthcare provider suspects you have type 1 diabetes, they may also check your blood for certain autoantibodies.Autoantibody presence indicates antibodies are destroying the beta cells in your body.
If your blood glucose levels are very high, your healthcare provider may also check your urine for the presence of ketones.
Type 1 Diabetes Treatment
The maintreatment for type 1 diabetesis insulin.External insulinis necessary to survive because the body can no longer make insulin. Insulin is administered via needle and syringe,insulin pen, inhaler, or insulin pump.
To determine how much insulin the body needs, it’s important to check blood glucose levels frequently throughout the day, such as before and after eating and before going to bed.
To eliminate the need for multiple daily insulin injections, many people with type 1 diabetes use insulin infusion pumps.Insulin pumpsare small, wearable devices that deliver insulin to the body through a thin, plastic tube (catheter) and a small needle inserted into the fatty tissue under the skin.
With advancements in technology, more and more people with type 1 diabetes are managing their diabetes withautomated insulin delivery systems(AIDS), also called an artificial pancreas. An AIDS is a computer algorithm program that connects CGMs and insulin pumps, allowing them to work together to act as a healthy pancreas would for insulin and blood glucose management.
In addition to insulin, other medications may be recommended to help manage your type 1 diabetes.
Managing Diabetes with Lifestyle Changes
Engaging in healthy lifestyle habits is important for everyone, including people with type 1 diabetes.
There is no one specific “diabetes diet,” People with type 1 diabetes are encouraged to follow a healthy, balanced eating pattern that includes vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and heart-healthy fats.
Engaging in regular physical activity is another important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Both aerobic exercise and strength training should be included as part of a physical activity routine.
In general, it’s recommended that adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, along with at least two days of strength training each week.
Stresscan affect blood glucose levels.In addition, living with type 1 diabetes can take a toll on mental health.
Finding ways to effectively manage stress and cope with the never-ending to-do list of living with type 1 diabetes is important for both mental and physical health. Ideas include going for a walk, talking with a friend or loved one, writing in a journal, meditating, or reading a good book.
You may also want to look for a diabetes support group, locally or through theDiabetes Online Community. A study of adults with type 1 diabetes who engaged with the Diabetes Online Community found they reported improved physical and mental health from seeking information and support online.
Common Complications of Diabetes
If diabetes is left unmanaged, over time it can lead to serioushealth complications. These include:
Type 1 Diabetes Life Expectancy
Prior to the discovery of insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes, a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was a death sentence, with more than 90% of people dying within five years of diagnosis.
However, this is no longer the case. People with type 1 diabetes can now live long and fulfilling lives with proper care and management.
Still, regardless of the advancements in diabetes care, people with type 1 diabetes still haveshorter expected life spansthan the general population. The average life expectancy for all people in the United States is 76.1 years.
According to a Scottish study, people with type 1 diabetes at the age of 20 lived an average of 12 fewer years than 20-year-olds without it.An Australian study produced similar results, finding that people with type 1 diabetes lived 12.2 fewer years compared with the general population.
Managing your diabetes and keeping blood glucose levels in target range can help you live a longer life with diabetes. According to a 2015 study, people with type 1 diabetes with better blood glucose control lived longer than those with poorer blood glucose control.
Summary
Diabetes is diagnosed using a blood test to check blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes vary in that they are typically diagnosed at different life stages, and have different causes, symptom onset, and treatment.
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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