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types of diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes |
What is Diabetes Type 1:Type 1 diabetes is a form of diabetes in which the pancreas does not produce any or adequate insulin to move glucose to the muscles, tissues and cells of the body.
It is a life-long disease.
In this type of diabetes, insulin – a hormone that converts glucose into energy / fuel for the body is not able to cater to the high sugar levels in the bloodstream. Therefore, glucose gets deposited in the body and some amount of it is thrown out of the body through urine. This leads to excessive urination and thirst.
Diabetes type 1 is generally seen in people in the younger age group of less than 30 years.
Nevertheless it can occur at any age. After 5-10 years of developing type 1 diabetes, the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin get completely destroyed. So the body is not able to produce any insulin anymore.
Diabetes type 1 is also called as insulin-dependent diabetes.
This is because a type i diabetes patient has to take insulin injections everyday.
The symptoms of type i diabetes are frequent urination that leads to excessive thirst, increased hunger, fatigue & weakness, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. In case of women, there can be absence of menstruation.
Fasting blood glucose test detects diabetes if the blood sugar level is more than or equal to 126 mg/dL. In non-fasting blood glucose test if the blood glucose level is more than 200 mg/dL two hours after the test and there are symptoms of frequent thirst and urination, then diabetes can be confirmed after doing fasting blood glucose test.
Urine analysis test / urinalysis is not sufficient by itself. A blood test is a must to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes. In the Insulin test, when low or absolutely negligible level of insulin in the blood is present type 1 diabetes is diagnosed. If one has diabetes, the level of C-peptide is very low or non-detectable on doing the C-peptide test.
Daily dosage of insulin injections is necessary after doctors’ consultation.
Consult a certified dietician or nutritionist to lay down a diet plan. Balance and consistency has to be maintained between the food and insulin to keep the blood glucose levels to a normal extent. Maintenance of body weight by brisk walking, light jogging, exercises, yoga, etc. is beneficial to keep the glucose levels normal.
Regularly monitoring ones own blood glucose level shows the clear graph/ status. It determines how well the food, exercise, insulin, etc. are working to control the diabetes. Special care of injuries/ infections of the feet especially must be paid attention to. Infections may lead to gangrene and severe gangrene can even cause amputation. It may so happen that a diabetic may suffer from low blood sugar due to excess insulin, exercise, and controlled diet. One should eat something sweet/ sugary like sugar, milk, fruit juice immediately. In case of ketoacidosis, one must do a urine test and consult a doctor immediately. |
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