Type 1 Diabetes: Symptoms and Treatment
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition that requires monitoring and compassionate support from a team of specialists. At Beaufort Memorial, certified diabetes educators, primary care providers, exercise physiologists, pharmacists and medical social workers work together to create self-management plans that meet each patient’s individual needs.
For information about how to schedule a consultation with a certified diabetes educator, call 843-522-5635.
What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which your pancreas either does not create insulin or creates very little of it. For many people, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas that manufacture insulin.
When your body lacks insulin, your cells cannot absorb blood sugar (also called blood glucose), causing it to accumulate in the bloodstream.
Type 1 diabetes is most often diagnosed in children and adolescents, but adults can also be diagnosed. An A1C blood test, which measures your blood glucose levels in the prior two to three months, can determine if you have diabetes.
There is no way to prevent or cure Type 1 diabetes, which means adequate treatment and diabetes management are vital to avoid diabetes-related complications.
Type 1 Diabetes Risk Factors
Risk factors for Type 1 diabetes are not as clearly defined as those for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. However, there are several known risk factors for Type 1 diabetes:
- Age — Children, young adults and teens are more likely to be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
- Family history — If your parents or siblings have Type 1 diabetes, you are more likely to have it.
- Race — In the U.S., Caucasians are more likely to develop Type 1 diabetes than African Americans and Hispanics.
Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes can develop rapidly and become severe, so they should be taken seriously. Symptoms may include:
- Blurry vision
- Excessive hunger
- Extreme thirst
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- More infections that normal
- Nausea
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Slow-healing wounds
- Stomach pain
- Unintentional weight loss
- Very dry skin
- Vomiting
Type 1 Diabetes Treatment
If you have Type 1 diabetes, you must take insulin either through regular injections (shot or pen) or an insulin pump to prevent health problems, such as kidney disease. Type 1 diabetes management requires regular blood sugar monitoring, meaning you’ll need to measure your blood sugar levels at intervals determined by your primary care provider. Lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity and eating a healthy diet, are also recommended as part of a comprehensive diabetes care plan.