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Type 1 Diabetes: The Concerns and Complications
by Jim Bruce
Type 1 diabetes is often called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. This is an incurable disease affecting the endocrine system, in which the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin to convert glucose into the energy the body needs to sustain life. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in babies, young children or adolescents, but this condition can develop at a later ages as well.
This illness needs to be fully understood so the patient and family members can provide appropriate medical treatment and emotional support. Type 1 diabetes has several serious concerns and complications that may develop if proper medical treatment is not followed.
Type 1 Diabetes: The Concerns
Although there is no agreement amongst medical and health professionals on the actual cause of this disease, genetic factors and the exposure to certain viruses seem to play a large part. Since there is no cure for Type 1 diabetes, the patient must learn to care for the effects of this disease on a daily basis. That means monitoring blood sugar levels periodically and taking the correct dose of insulin. If monitoring the sugar and correcting with insulin is not done regularly, the body will start to have adverse reactions.
The first sign of diabetic concern may be increased thirst and frequent urination because the surplus sugar in the body causes fluid to be pulled away from healthy tissues. There may also be blurred vision when fluid is taken from the lens of the eyes as well.
Without the necessary insulin in the body, excessive hunger may be experienced because the muscles and organs lack the energy they need to function properly. This, in turn, triggers hunger as the body calls for more food in an attempt to recapture lost energy due to the diabetic condition. Weight loss may result if the blood sugar isn't regulated and the fat stores in the body are used to supply energy that glucose normally would.
Type 1 Diabetes: The Complications
The complications of Type 1 diabetes can be short- or long-term. Short-term complications are critical and must be treated immediately because they present the possibilities of seizures or a coma. Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can occur for many reasons. Illness, overeating or not taking enough insulin may lead to this condition. Monitoring the blood on a regular basis is the best means to prevent hyperglycemia.
Urine should also be tested and monitored to watch out for increased ketones. Ketones are toxic acids produced when the cells are starved for energy. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar can happen if a meal is skipped, when there has been an increase in physical activity, or if too much insulin was taken. All of these situations require immediate and accurate treatment to prevent serious side effects.
Long-term complications develop more slowly but can create life-threatening situations over time. Type 1 diabetes increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke . Increased sugar in the blood for long periods of time damages blood vessels and builds up fatty plaque, which leads to nerve damage, especially in the legs. Type 1 diabetes can also interfere with the filtering system of the kidneys, causing irreversible kidney damage.
Although all of this information sounds dire, Type 1 diabetes can be successfully managed and a person with this condition can lead a normal and fulfilling life if they monitor the disease and take proper measures to keep it under control.
| Disclaimer: |
The information in this Diabetes section has been taken from a number of sources. It is meant to give you information about certain medicines, but it does not cover all of the possible uses, warnings, side effects, or interactions with other medicines and vitamin or herbal supplements.
This information should not be used as medical advice for individual medical problems. Please talk to your doctor, health professional, and/or your pharmacist for prescription or treatment instructions. |
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