Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile onset diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes (IDDM). These two names have now been abandoned mainly because Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age and because many people with Type 2 diabetes are on insulin.
Are you looking for information on Diabetes Type 1 and how to manage the disease?
When you find out that someone you love, especially your child, has diabetes type 1, it may seem like the end of the world. The great news it that diabetes type 1 can be managed and victims can expect to live a long and healthy life. Type 1 diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus is suspected to be an autoimmune dysfunction and a cause has not yet been found, though work is being done to find a cure. The effect of this condition is a reduction or total loss in insulin production by the pancreas. Insulin is the enzyme that helps glucose move from the blood stream into the cells for energy and growth. The victim needs to control their blood sugar levels to avoid it becoming too low or too high. A very low blood sugar level can lead to blackouts and coma and over time a high blood sugar level can lead to nerve and tissue damage and eventual loss of sight and kidney failure.
Frequent meals of consistent quality followed by a dose of insulin, usually administered by injection, is the most usual treatment of diabetes type 1. The amount of carbohydrates eaten will govern the amount of insulin required immediately after a meal. For those wishing to reduce the amount of insulin required to treat diabetes type 1, more information about how to safely reduce carbohydrate intake is needed. Seeing a qualified nutrition coach who can advise you on low carbohydrate diets is essential. |
