Two Australian children and as many as six Australians of all ages will develop type 1 diabetes every day.
While it’s more common in people under 30 years, and tends to begin in childhood, it can affect anyone. Type 1 diabetes has also been known as juvenile diabetes and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
What causes type 1 diabetes?
When the body needs to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy, the hormone insulin needs to be secreted by the pancreas, a gland located in the abdomen.
A person with type 1 diabetes is unable to produce insulin because the immune system has been activated to destroy the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. We don’t know what causes this reaction and at this stage nothing can be done to prevent or cure type 1 diabetes.
How do I know if I have type 1 diabetes?
In type 1 diabetes, symptoms often appear suddenly. It’s important not to ignore these symptoms because left untreated type 1 diabetes can severely damage many systems, organs and tissues in the body. A simple test to measure blood glucose levels can diagnose or rule out type 1 diabetes.
What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:
Being excessively thirsty
Going to the toilet to pass urine a lot more than usual
Feeling tired and lethargic
Always feeling hungry
Having cuts that heal slowly
Itching skin, skin infections
Blurred vision
Unexplained weight loss
Mood swings
Headaches, nausea and vomiting
Feeling dizzy
Leg cramps
You should see your GP in the first instance who can do some simple blood glucose tests to find out if type 1 diabetes is making you unwell. They will then refer you to see an endocrinologist for ongoing treatment and management.
How can type 1 diabetes be treated?
If you have type 1 diabetes, you will need to monitor of your blood glucose levels, modify your diet and take insulin every day replace the insulin your body can’t produce. The specific treatment may include:
Daily injections of insulin (or by continuous insulin infusion pump)
Monitoring your blood glucose levels by testing droplets of blood using a glucose meter several times a day or with continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring devices
Testing your blood for ketones and knowing what to do if you are unwell
Understanding how your diet impacts your insulin requirements and learning how to adjust your insulin accordingly
Being active
Getting checked regularly by your diabetes care team
Who is at risk of type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes occurs most frequently in people under 30 years old. It can also be diagnosed in adults. About 10-15 per cent of all cases of diabetes are type 1.
Why is it important to treat diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes can cause many complications – from rapid, acute illness to serious long-term conditions including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and stroke. Without ongoing injections of insulin and proper diabetes care and treatment, type 1 diabetes can be life threatening.
How can I tell if my diabetes treatment is right for me?
If you feel like your diabetes is controlling your life, or preventing you from living your full life, then your diabetes treatment may need adjustment. Our multidisciplinary diabetes team is here to help, providing you with optional services in dietetics, diabetes education, clinical psychology,group mindfulness programs and cooking classes held at the clinic.