Type 1 diabetes

Our bodies need sugar for energy.

A part of the body makes a special medicine. This medicine helps turn sugar into energy. In some people, the body stops making this medicine. This happens because the body attacks its own cells.

When this happens, sugar stays in the blood. This can make a person feel very thirsty. They might also feel very hungry. Some people lose weight or feel tired.

Doctors use blood tests to find this. People must take the medicine every day. They can use a needle or a small pump. This helps them stay healthy and strong.

Our bodies need sugar for power. This sugar comes from the food we eat. A part of the body called the pancreas helps. It has tiny parts called beta cells. These cells make a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps the body turn blood sugar into power.

In type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system makes a mistake. The immune system is meant to fight germs. Instead, it attacks and destroys the beta cells. Without these cells, the body cannot make insulin. This causes blood sugar to become very high.

People may feel very thirsty or very hungry. They might also lose weight or feel tired. Some people may have blurry vision. Doctors find this by testing the sugar in the blood.

There is no way to stop this from happening. People must take insulin every day to stay alive. They can use a needle to put insulin under the skin. Some people use an insulin pump. This is a small tool that gives insulin all day. Eating well and moving helps too. [Caption: Common signs of type 1 diabetes.]

Type 1 diabetes is a serious health condition. It is an autoimmune disease. This means the body's immune system makes a mistake. The immune system usually fights germs to keep us healthy. In this disease, it attacks the body's own parts instead. It specifically destroys beta cells in the pancreas. These tiny cells are very important. They are the only cells that make insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that acts like a key. It helps the body turn blood sugar into energy. Without insulin, sugar stays in the blood. This leads to very high blood sugar levels. The body cannot use the sugar for power. This can cause many different symptoms. People might feel very thirsty or very hungry. They may also lose weight or feel tired. Some people notice blurry vision or slow healing.

Scientists are still learning why this happens. It is believed to involve genetics and the environment. Some people have genes that make them more likely to get it. For example, if an identical twin has it, the risk is high. This risk can be between 30% and 70%. Other factors might include certain viruses or even surgery. If a person has surgery on their pancreas, they might develop a form of it. This is called pancreatogenic diabetes mellitus.

Doctors use blood tests to find the disease. They check for high sugar or a level called HbA1C. They also look for autoantibodies in the blood. These are signs that the immune system is attacking the beta cells. In the United States, one to three million people have this condition. About 80,000 children develop it every year. The number of cases varies by place. Scandinavia and Kuwait have about 30 new cases per 100,000 people. East Asia has about one case per 100,000.

There is currently no way to prevent type 1 diabetes. People must take insulin every day to survive. They can use a needle to put insulin under the skin. Some people use an insulin pump to help. This is a small tool that delivers insulin. Managing the disease also involves a healthy diet and exercise. It is important to keep blood sugar in a normal range. If sugar gets too low, it can be dangerous. If it stays too high, it can cause long-term harm.

Type 1 diabetes, also called type 1 diabetes mellitus, is a serious autoimmune disease. In an autoimmune disease, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells. In this specific case, the immune system destroys beta cells located in the pancreas. These beta cells are the only cells in the human body that produce insulin. Insulin is a vital hormone used to store and convert blood sugar into energy. Without enough insulin, the body cannot use sugar for fuel, leading to high blood sugar levels, known as hyperglycemia.

The biological process of type 1 diabetes begins with an immune response. In about 70% to 90% of cases, the immune system targets the beta cells. This process often involves the development of autoantibodies, which are proteins that signal the immune system to attack. A person might first develop antibodies against insulin or a protein called GAD65. Later, they may develop antibodies against other proteins like IA-2, IA-2β, or ZNT8. These antibodies often appear months or even years before physical symptoms start. As the beta cells are destroyed, the body experiences a progressive insulin deficiency.

There are different ways this condition can manifest or be categorized. Most cases are the standard autoimmune type described above. However, 10% to 30% of cases are called idiopathic type 1 diabetes. In these instances, the beta cells are destroyed, but there is no sign of an autoimmune response. Another form is pancreatogenic diabetes mellitus. This occurs after surgery, such as a total pancreatectomy, where part or all of the pancreas is removed. Patients who have had their entire pancreas removed are sometimes called "brittle diabetics" because they have no natural insulin production.

Scientists are still researching exactly why this disease begins. It is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetics play a significant role in a person's risk level. For example, the risk for the general population is about 1 in 250. If a parent has the disease, the risk rises to 1% to 9%. If an identical twin has it, the risk is much higher, between 30% and 70%. Researchers have found that variations in certain HLA class II genes, such as HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR4-HLA-DQ8, increase risk. Some studies also look at environmental triggers like viral infections or even certain dietary habits.

Symptoms of the disease can appear quite quickly, often within weeks or months. Common signs include polyuria, which is frequent urination, and polydipsia, or increased thirst. Many people also experience increased hunger, weight loss, and extreme tiredness. In children, symptoms might include blurred vision, bedwetting, or irritability. If insulin is missing for a long time, a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis can occur. This is characterized by fruity breath odor, abdominal pain, nausea, and labored breathing. If left untreated, ketoacidosis can lead to a coma or death.

Doctors use specific medical tests to diagnose type 1 diabetes. They primarily look for high levels of sugar in the blood. The World Health Organization defines diabetes as having blood sugar levels at or above 7.0 mmol/L after fasting. Another common test measures glycated hemoglobin, or HbA1C, which shows average sugar levels over time. To distinguish type 1 from type 2 diabetes, doctors test for autoantibodies or low levels of C-peptide. C-peptide is a byproduct made when the body produces insulin. Low levels suggest the pancreas is not making enough of the hormone.

Managing type 1 diabetes is essential for survival. Because the body cannot make insulin, patients must take it through regular injections under the skin. Some people use an insulin pump to deliver the hormone more steadily. Management also includes maintaining a diabetic diet and regular exercise. It is a delicate balance to keep blood sugar in a healthy range. If a person takes too much insulin, they may experience hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. This can be very dangerous and may lead to a coma if not treated immediately.