Juvenile diabetes is a chronic disease that usually arises in childhood or adolescence, but it can appear at any age as well, as young diabetics constitute less than 10% of all diabetic patients. Insulin is a hormone secreted by beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin is involved in the exchange of sugars and fats in all tissues.
But its critical function is to help get sugar, which is a source of energy, into cells, and when beta cells atrophy, insulin production stops and blood sugar regulation is disrupted.
When insulin decreases, the entry of sugar, which is the source of energy, into the cells of the body stops and remains in the blood and its level rises, as a high concentration of blood sugar is observed in the urine, and the decrease in sugar in the cells leads to the breakdown of fats and proteins as an native to the energy source.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include the following
1. Common symptoms of diabetes
The signs are often subtle, but they can become severe and include
extreme thirst
Increased hunger, especially after eating.
Dry mouth.
Stomach upset and vomiting.
frequent urination.
Unexplained weight loss even though you are eating and feeling hungry.
exhaustion.
blurry vision
Heavy, difficult breathing.
Frequent infections of the skin, urinary tract, or vagina.
Mood changes.
Bedwetting of a dry child at night.
2. Symptoms of the type 1 diabetes emergency
The most prominent symptoms include the following
Shakiness and confusion.
Rapid breathing.
The smell of fruits on your breath.
abdominal pain
Loss of consciousness in rare cases.
Causes and risk factors for type 1 diabetes
Below is an explanation of the causes and risk factors for type 1 diabetes
1. The causes of type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is thought to result from an autoimmune reaction, meaning the body mistakenly attacks itself and destroys insulin-making pancreatic cells called beta cells. This process can go on for months or years before any symptoms appear.
Some people have certain genes that make them more likely to develop type 1 diabetes, although many people will not develop type 1 diabetes even if they have the genes.
Exposure to a trigger in the environment such as a virus is also thought to play a role in developing type 1 diabetes, but diet and lifestyle habits do not cause type 1 diabetes.
2. Risk factors for type 1 diabetes
The most prominent risk factors include
family history
Anyone who has a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with type 1 diabetes is at slightly increased risk of developing the condition.
heredity
The presence of certain genes indicates an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
Geographical location
The incidence of type 1 diabetes tends to increase the farther you travel from the equator.
the age
Although type 1 diabetes can appear at any age, it presents with two notable peaks with the first peak occurring in children between the ages of 4-7 years, and the second in children between the ages of 10-14 years.
Complications of type 1 diabetes
Complications of type 1 diabetes include
1. Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes can put you at risk of blood clots, as well as high blood pressure and cholesterol that can lead to chest pain, heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
2. Skin problems
People with diabetes are more likely to get bacterial or fungal infections as diabetes can also cause blisters or rashes.
3. Gum disease
Lack of saliva, lots of plaque, and poor blood flow can cause problems in the mouth.
4. Pregnancy problems
Women with type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of premature birth, birth defects, stillbirth, and pre-eclampsia.
5. Retinopathy
This eye problem occurs in about 80% of adults with type 1 diabetes for more than 15 years, as it rarely occurs before puberty no matter how long you''ve had the disease.
To prevent it or to preserve your eyesight, maintain good control of your blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
6. Kidney damage
About 20-30% of patients with type 1 diabetes develop a condition called nephropathy, as the chance of occurrence increases over time, and it is likely to appear 15-25 years after the onset of diabetes, and it can also lead to other serious problems, such as: kidney failure , and heart disease.
7. Poor blood flow and nerve damage
Damaged nerves and hardened arteries lead to a loss of sensation and reduced blood supply to your feet. This increases the chances of infection and makes open sores and wounds difficult to heal.
When this happens, you can lose a limb. Nerve damage can also cause digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes
Diagnostic methods include the following
1. Glycated hemoglobin
Glycated hemoglobin test. This blood test indicates your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. It measures the amount of blood sugar attached to the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
The higher the blood sugar levels, the higher the glucose-associated hemoglobin. A glycated hemoglobin level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.
If a test isn''t available or if you have certain conditions that could make the test inaccurate, such as pregnancy or an uncommon form of hemoglobin, your doctor may use these tests:
2. Random blood sugar test
The blood sample will be taken at a random time and can be confirmed by repeated testing where blood glucose values are expressed in milligrams per deciliter, or mmol per liter.
Regardless of the last time you ate, a random blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes, especially when combined with any of the signs and symptoms of diabetes, such as frequent urination and excessive thirst.
3. Fasting blood sugar test
A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast, as a fasting blood glucose level of less than 100 mg/dL is normal, and a fasting blood glucose level of 100-125 mg/dL is the onset of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes treatment
People with type 1 diabetes can live long and healthy lives, as you will need to monitor your blood sugar levels closely and your doctor will give you a range where the numbers should stay.
Fast acting insulin
Everyone with type 1 diabetes needs to use insulin injections to control their blood sugar. Rapid-acting insulin starts working in about 15 minutes, peaks about 1 hour after taking it and continues to work for 2-4 hours.
Regular or short-acting insulin
Insulin begins to work in about 30 minutes, peaks between 2-3 hours, and continues to work for 3-6 hours.
Intermediate acting insulin
Intermediate action will not reach the bloodstream for 2-4 hours after injection, peaking 4-12 hours and working 12-18 hours.
Long acting insulin
The long-acting ones take several hours to get into your system and last about 24 hours.
Prevention of type 1 diabetes
There is no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes, but researchers are working to prevent the disease or further destruction of islet cells in newly diagnosed people.
