What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, which means that in people with this type of diabetes, their own immune system starts destroying the beta cells in the pancreas. These beta cells are insulin-producing cells. With the beta cells getting destroyed, the pancreas is not able to produce insulin or produces it in a very small quantity, which is not sufficient enough to control the blood glucose at normal levels.
Insulin moves glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body, which is then used by the cells for energy to carry out its functions or is kept stored. Lack of insulin causes sugar buildup in the bloodstream as it cannot get into the cells, thus leading to high blood sugar or hyperglycemia.
Diabetes type 1 is also called juvenile diabetes as children, teens, and young adults are usually more prone to develop this type of diabetes; albeit one can develop it at any age. It is also called insulin-dependent diabetes because insulin supplementation is always required for treatment of type 1 diabetes. About 10 percent of the population with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes:
One important thing that one should note is that the symptoms of type 1 diabetes start showing up fairly instantaneously and are usually serious. These symptoms can show up within days or over a few weeks. This happens because insulin production decreases day by day due to the destruction of beta cells. Following are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes:
· Increased thirst and dry mouth.
· Increased hunger.
· Increased frequency of urination.
· Having a feeling of tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.
· Blurry vision.
· Inability of a sore to heal.
· Fatigue.
· Unexplained weight loss even after eating well.
· Mood swings.
· Frequent infections of the skin, vagina, or urinary tract.
· New onset of bedwetting episodes in children who previously had no such issue.
You need to be vigilant about some specific symptoms in patients with type
1 diabetes, as they can be life-threatening and warrant immediate medical attention. These symptoms are caused due to hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis, which are the complications of type 1 diabetes. These symptoms include:
· Confusion and shaking.
· Breathing rapidly.
· Pain in the belly.
· Breath that has a fruity smell.
· Losing consciousness, though this is quite rare.
Causes of Type 1 Diabetes:
Doctors are yet to know the exact cause of type 1 diabetes. The compromised immune system is thought to be the cause of type 1 diabetes. It is more of an autoimmune reaction where mistakenly the body starts attacking itself. Before showing any symptoms, this action can go on for weeks or months.
Other possible causes of type 1 diabetes could be genetics. Some people carry certain genes that make them more susceptible to developing type 1diabetes. Exposure to certain types of viruses and other environmental factors can also act as a trigger for the development of type 1 diabetes.
It should be noted that dietary habits and lifestyle do not cause type 1 diabetes.
Type1 Diabetes Risk Factors:
As stated earlier in the article, about 10 percent of the whole population with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. There is no bias between the genders. Males and females can be affected equally. There are certain factors that increase your risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
· We understand that type 1 diabetes can be developed at any age, but children, teens, and young adults are at higher risk of developing it.
· If a person has a family history of type 1diabetes of either a parent or a sibling having it, then there is a high likelihood of that person developing type 1 diabetes.
· Carrying certain types of genes can also predispose you to an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
· Exposure to certain viral illnesses can also pose a risk for the development of type 1 diabetes.
· Any injury to pancreas or surgical removal of pancreas can also increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
How is Diabetes Type 1 Diagnosed?
Following tests are used for the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes:
HbA1c:This blood test measures the average blood sugar level of the body in the past2-3 months. This gives a more accurate idea to your healthcare provider.
Fasting blood sugar test: In this blood test, your sugar levels are measured in the morning before eating anything, i.e., after an overnight fast.
Random blood sugar test: This blood test measures blood sugar levels at any random time of the day, regardless of when you last ate.
The chart given below gives an interpretation of the above-mentioned test results:
Diagnosis A1c (percent) Fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL) Random plasma glucose test (mg/dL)
Normal Below 5.7 99 or below
Prediabetes 5.7 to 6.4 100 to 125
Diabetes 6.5 or above 126 or above 200 or above
If your blood test results show diabetes, your doctor can order some additional tests to ascertain the type of diabetes.
If the individual is a child or a young adult, or has a family member with type 1 diabetes, then the doctor will order a blood test to check for certain autoantibodies that are found in people with type 1 diabetes.
Additionally, a urinalysis can also be ordered to look for ketones in your urine, as that indicates type 1 diabetes.
Lab tests such as basic metabolic profile and arterial blood gases may also be suggested to assess the overall health status of the person.
If anyone in your family has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, it is always a wise decision to get the rest of the family members tested at regular intervals even if they do not show any symptoms because this type runs in the family, and early diagnosis can help with easier management of blood sugar levels and prevent complications.
Prevention and Management of Type 1 Diabetes:
As of today, there is no such way to prevent type 1 diabetes. But researchers are working on people who have been newly diagnosed with type 1diabetes on how further damage to insulin-producing cells can be prevented.
Even if there are no ways to prevent type 1 diabetes, there are various ways to manage it efficiently so that it does not interfere with any of your life activities:
· Take insulin daily.
· Regularly monitor blood sugar levels and learning how to adjust your insulin dosage according to it.
· Count your daily intake of carbohydrates so that you give yourself enough insulin to metabolize it. A dietitian can teach you carbohydrate counting.
· Include high-fiber, low-fat foods, wholegrains, and fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
· Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
For people suffering from type 1 diabetes, it becomes necessary to take insulin every day as their body is unable to produce insulin.
Insulin cannot be taken orally as the stomach enzymes breaks down the synthetic insulin, rendering it ineffective. Thus, insulin needs to be administered through injections or insulin pump.
There are different types of insulin:
· Rapid-acting insulin. For example: Insulinglulisine (Apidra), insulin lispro (Humalog) and insulin aspart (Novolog).
· Regular or short-acting insulin. For example: Humulin R, Novolin R.
· Intermediate-acting insulin. For example: Insulin NPH (Novolin N, Humulin N).
· Long-acting insulin. For example: Insulinglargine (Lantus), insulin detemir (Levemir) and insulin degludec (Tresiba).
Your health care provider will suggest the best type of insulin for you.
Sometimes insulin alone is not able to control the blood sugar within the targeted range for some people. In such cases, a different type of diabetic medicine such as pramlintide is prescribed along with insulin.
Diabetes patients are often prescribed aspirin and cholesterol-reducing medicines too to decrease the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Ayurveda for Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
If you wish to treat type1 diabetes naturally, then Ayurveda can be your choice.
With its holistic treatment approach, Ayurveda focuses not just on relieving symptoms, but addresses the root cause of diabetes. There are several herbs that are scientifically proven to lower blood sugar levels. Customized herbal concoctions are made according to the patient’s needs, and when combined with Ayurvedic procedures such as Panchakarma, they provide effective control of diabetes and prevention of diabetic complications.
Ayurvedic treatments also aims at reducing insulin resistance and promoting optimum utilization of glucose by the body, both of which results in better control of blood sugar levels.
Moreover, you are spared from the daily pricks of needles for taking insulin, and Ayurvedic therapies have minimal to no side effects, as against the allopathic anti-diabetic medicines.
Who Are the Specialists for Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes?
A healthcare professional who is specialized in treating hormone-related conditions, i.e., an endocrinologist should be consulted for the treatment of diabetes. Some endocrinologists are specialized in treating only diabetic patients. Regular follow-ups with your endocrinologists an essential part of managing your type 1 diabetes well.
Dr. Monga Medi Clinicis one such clinic where you can find the best endocrinologists who have years of experience in treating diabetes efficiently. In fact, Dr. Monga MediClinic is a clinic where you can find various departments which work hand in hand for diabetes management. It has a unique panel of dietitians who can chart down the best diabetic meal plan suitable for your current diabetic condition. There is also a team of fitness experts who can guide you with exercises and yoga asanas that are specifically beneficial in managing type 1 diabetes effectively.
Dr. Monga Medi Clinicis known to treat its patient with a combination of both Modern Medicine and Ayurveda so that the patient gets the benefit of both the treatment approaches. For the last 75 years, they have been effectively treating their patients with Ayurvedic practices. They have highly qualified and expert Ayurvedic physicians who have years of expertise in treating diabetes.
For patients who cannot visit the clinic, online consultation is also provided through their official website Dr.Monga Medi Clinic.
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https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20353011
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/what-is-type-1-diabetes.html
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/tests-diagnosis#type1
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/type-1-diabetes
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21500-type-1-diabetes