Type 1 Diabetes

Type I diabetes is the most serious type of diabetes and is also called juvenile diabetes because it usually occurs in children and young adults. The most common cause of Type I diabetes is the beta cell loss. It leads to type 1 diabetes by autoimmune destruction, accompanied by antibodies directed against insulin and islet cell proteins. It is caused by genetic and environmental factors and affects 2 to 3 % of the diabetic population.

Some of the symptoms normally noticed in Type I diabetes are as below:

1) Frequent urination, mostly at night is the most important symptom but most people neglect it and leave it till late to consult a doctor.

2) Sudden weight loss. If someone is constantly losing weight without being on a diet coupled with urination, he should consult a doctor immediately.

3) The most common indication that a person has diabetes is when wounds heal slowly, especially in the feet and ankle area.

4) Blurred vision, lack of sensation on the skin and itching of the hands and feet are also very important symptoms that a person should not ignore and should consult the doctor immediately if suffering from them and get the blood sugar levels checked.

The diagnosis of Type I diabetes is normally done on the basis of the onset of the symptoms outlined above, particularly excessive urination and excessive thirst accompanied by sudden weight loss. These symptoms worsen in a matter of weeks and by the time the blood tests are done almost 20 to 25 % of the patients start experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Other ways of diagnosis are:

a) Health screening
b) Detection of hyperglycemia
c) New signs and symptoms associated with type I diabetes