Type 1 diabetes: What Is It?

As well we know that diabetes is divided into two major types; type 2 and type-1 diabetes. So what is type 1 diabetes? It is a condition when the body cannot make insulin! Insulin hormones are produced in the pancreas, and they have important function for the body’s cells to convert glucose (from food that we eat) into fuel (for the energy of the body’s cells). Furthermore, there is also familiar known as ‘gestational diabetes’, but this type usually only occurs during pregnancy. The difference between type-1 and type-2 diabetes When there is no adequate insulin or without a clearly reason the body’s cells cannot respond well the insulin hormones -- (more common in type 2 diabetes), or even the pancreas does not make insulin -- (more common in type 1 diabetes), then the mechanism of conversion from glucose to be energy will not work properly! Finally will lead to a build-up of glucose in the blood that can increase the blood sugar level! The inability of pancreas to make insulin in people with type-1 diabetes is the reason why they need insulin injection to manage their diabetes. On the other hand, in people with type 2 diabetes, they do not always need to take insulin! Causes of Type 1 diabetes Like written before, the key reason of this disease is the inability of pancreas to make insulin, but there are no clearly causes why the immune system is not friendly with pancreas (in other words, it turns against the pancreas). Most doctors suspect a combination of environmental factors and genetic susceptibility! Unfortunately unlike type-2 that has modifiable risk factors which can be helpful to reduce your risk of the disease, we cannot prevent type-1 diabetes! It can develop at any age (mostly under the age of 19). But fortunately it is relatively less common than type-2 (most of all diabetes is type-2 diabetes). What are warning signs of type-1 diabetes? Generally, the type 1 diabetes symptoms are almost similar with the symptoms of type 2 diabetes! The following are some common warning signs of type-1 diabetes: 1. Have unusual thirst which is usually followed with frequent urination, dry mouth, and ‘fruity breath’! 2. The high blood sugar can make the body easily to get overweight and lack of energy. 3. Uncomfortable sensational skin problems like dry skin (itching), fungal and bacterial infections! Moreover, women with typee-1 diabetes have higher chance to get vaginal yeast infections. 4. And for more dangerous symptoms include; loss of consciousness, blurred vision, hypoglycemia, and even tingling or numbness in your feet. Complications Individuals with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have a higher risk of vision problems, stroke, heart disease, gum disease, kidney disease, and nerve damage in the organs, feet and hands!