Type1 Diabetes Symptoms

Type 1 diabetes may also be known by some other names such as: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Type 1 diabetes is the result of the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter the cells of the body to provide fuel.

This is because of an auto-immune process in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin producing cells of the pancreas.


Insulin
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Insulin is typically the best treatment for type 1 diabetes, and there are various different insulin types out there. People with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections and regularly monitor their blood sugar levels. Insulin cannot be taken by mouth since the digestive juices and enzymes destroy it before it actually gets into the bloodstream.

Insulin deficiency also causes other metabolic problems, including the unregulated breakdown of fat stores. Insulin acts on the cells of your body and makes them take glucose into the cells from the bloodstream. Insulin is not absorbed in the gut so it needs to be injected rather than taken as tablets.

When beta cells stop producing insulin, your body's cells will take in less glucose, while your liver releases more glucose, resulting in a rise in blood sugar levels, sometimes reaching levels as high as10 times above normal levels.


Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
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Type 1 diabetes symptoms manifest themselves in the form of excessive fatigue, frequent urination, mood swings, excessive thirst, and feeling hungrier than one normally would. Type 1 diabetes symptoms generally develop over a short period of time.

In children, type 1 diabetes symptoms may resemble flu symptoms. However, each child may experience diabetes symptoms differently.

Although beta cell destruction can begin years earlier, type 1 diabetes symptoms usually develop rather quickly, over a few days to weeks, and are caused by blood sugar levels rising above normal levels (hyperglycemia).

Other type 1 diabetes symptoms can include weight loss and blurry vision. These symptoms are due to the lack of insulin in the body. Because there is no insulin being produced, type 1 diabetes symptoms develop and worsen very rapidly with sufferers quickly falling into a diabetic coma if the illness is not diagnosed and treated properly.

Should you experience any of these type 1 diabetes symptoms, you must immediately drink 15 grams of carbohydrate, which can be in the form of 3 teaspoons of sugar dissolved in water.

Ignoring these diabetes symptoms can only lead to them worsening and possibly the development of a more serious health problem. In Type 1 diabetes, symptoms are usually sudden and can be life-threatening; hence it is mostly diagnosed rather quickly.