What is it
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by the absence or insufficiency of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows the use of glucose as a source of energy.
Glucose accumulates in the blood (hyperglycemia) depriving us of the energy we need and causing damage to all major organs.
When the pancreas does not produce insulin or produces too little so it is absolutely necessary to introduce it from the outside, it is called type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent).
Causes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks pancreatic cells as if they were a foreign body. It usually occurs at a young age (most often between 3 and 10 years).
The causes are not yet fully understood; However, it is known that having a diabetic relative in the family increases the chances of developing the disease.
Symptoms
Type 1 diabetes manifests itself suddenly with abnormal thirst, frequent need to urinate, abnormal tiredness, lack of energy, rapid weight loss, slow wound healing, recurrent infections, blurred vision.
Blood glucose (glycaemia) values, which are usually around 110 mg/dl, reach or exceed 126 mg/dl.
Complications
If blood sugar is not kept under control, over time the excess of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia) can cause damage to the circulation and heart, eyes (retinopathy), kidneys (nephropathy), nervous system (neuropathy), with very serious consequences.
Therapy
The treatment of type 1 diabetes is based primarily on the daily administration of insulin, dosed in such a way as to keep blood sugar as close as possible to normal, preventing it from rising too much or falling excessively.
It will be the diabetologist doctor to provide all the indications to carry out daily self-control and modulate the therapy, which allow the diabetic to have a good quality of life.
Insulin injections should be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle: a balanced diet that limits sugar intake and regular exercise, which helps lower blood sugar.
When to contact your doctor
If you suspect you have diabetes, it is always necessary to consult your doctor who will prescribe the analyzes to be performed and, if the disease is confirmed, he can give all the indications on how to implement daily self-control of blood sugar and how to perform insulin therapy.
In type 1 diabetes, the patient’s ability to manage their condition on a daily basis, following the indications of the diabetologist, is as important as periodic visits and check-ups.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.