Type 1 Diabetes

Symptoms, Causes and Diagnosis

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body no longer produces any insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body to control the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood. Without insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of being used for energy.

Symptoms

When you think about diabetes symptoms, drinking and peeing comes to mind. But there are other symptoms that can indicate a need to get checked for type 1 diabetes.

Causes

It is not known exactly what causes type 1 diabetes. People who have a close family member (such as a parent, or a brother or sister) with type 1 diabetes are at a slightly higher risk of getting the disease.

Diagnosis

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are diagnosed similarly.

Management of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes management includes insulin therapy, monitoring blood glucose levels often, eating healthy foods, carbohydrate counting, regular exercise, and maintaining your emotional health and well-being.

Lifestyle Management

Diet

Healthy eating and meal planning are important in the management of type 1 diabetes. A variety of healthy foods are needed for a balanced diet. This includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats, and a moderate amount of whole grains.

Exercise

The Canadian recommendations for exercise for people with diabetes include both aerobic (physical activity that increases the heart rate and the body’s use of oxygen) and resistance exercise (e.g. lifting weights).

Emotional well-being

Many people find that managing diabetes can seem overwhelming at times. The stresses and strains of living with this condition can sometimes take a toll on people’s emotional well-being.

Medication and Monitoring

Insulin therapy

In individuals with type 1 diabetes the pancreas does not produce insulin, so the use of insulin is essential for the management of type 1 diabetes.

Monitoring

Blood glucose monitoring, whether using a blood glucose meter or a continuous glucose monitor, allows you to assess your diabetes control. You and your healthcare team can determine the best method for you to check your blood glucose levels if you have type 1 diabetes.

Complications

Having diabetes can mean having a greater risk for heart disease and high blood pressure, kidney disease, eye problems and nerve damage than people without diabetes.