If you’ve recently received a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, chances are you’re still reeling in shock. You could be 9, or 90. Type 1 diabetes can happen at any age. Sadly, there isn’t a cure.
You may now be wondering what exactly caused you to develop this condition, and which is the best treatment for type 1 diabetes? Lifescript.com shares advice from a leading endocrinologist, whose job it is to diagnose and treat type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes, an auto-immune disease, occurs when the body ceases to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy in the body. If it goes untreated, you may develop serious medical conditions — you may even slip into a coma.
The secret to keeping tabs on type 1 diabetes is to regulate your blood sugar levels. You’ll find you’re healthy once more after getting your blood sugar regulated.
Diabetes type 1 occurs when the body attacks its cells responsible for creating insulin; type 1 diabetes is essentially an immune system. With no insulin, the body is unable to process glucose (sugar) out of the bloodstream and into the body’s cells, where it converts to energy and especially aids in the healthy development of muscles and body tissue. You need to supplement that insulin loss through injections or pumps.
Being overweight, eating a poor diet and/or not exercising can all lead to type 2 diabetes, a condition that typically occurs from a worn down pancreas, age, genetics and an unhealthy lifestyle. Because the body’s insulin levels aren’t normal, the pancreas works harder to produce the extra insulin the body still needs.
Most doctors recommend patients manage their type 2 diabetes by changing their lifestyle: eating a healthy diet, exercising, and losing weight. However, type 1 diabetes patients are typically young and thin. Most patients are diagnosed at a very young age — typically elementary or middle school. Type 1 diabetes may be triggered by a virus, although the exact cause is unknown.
For more type 1 diabetes information and other diabetes articles, visit Lifescript.com, your online resource for women’s health.
The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).