Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is the failure of the body to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar adequately. It is often called juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes, and it usually occurs in people under 30 years of age.
The condition comes on quite quickly and is characterised by excessive thirst brought on by an excess of glucose in the blood stream. This also results in excessive urination, another symptom. It is a chronic condition – that is, it is a lifelong condition. It is thought to be an auto-immune problem in the pancreas that destroys the insulin producing cells.
Type 1 diabetics make up 5-10% of those with diabetes and it is treated by administering insulin either by injection or by a drip feed. There is a danger for type 1 diabetics that they may suddenly lose consciousness and they are also at risk for serious complications.
There is new technology that has emerged in the last few years where an islet cell transplant is done, and although the patient has to take anti-rejection drugs, the new cells are able to produce insulin and trial patients have reported greatly reduced levels of insulin injection with the hope that they may be one day entirely eliminated through more islet cell transplants.
Type 1 diabetics are prone in their later years to suffer from vascular disorders, micro-vascular disorders, sight problems and kidney problems due largely to deterioration in their blood vessels.