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what is type 1 diabetes

Read and learn more about what is type 1 diabetes. For more, visit the Diabetes website DiabetesFAQ.org

Q: What causes people with Type 1 diabetes to get bad headaches and migraines?
My little brother has type 1 diabetes and was diagnosed with it at 12 months old and he sometimes get bad migraines. What causes migraines and bad headaches when you have type 1 diabetes?

He is 17 years old and is a big part of me. If something ever happened to him, damn I don’t know what I’d do.
I need some responses here guys.
Thank Tralee, but he already has an insulin pump as do most people with type 1.

A: I have had type 1 since I was 16 yrs old and have had migraines as well . It is because your sugar goes too high and puts excess pressure on your brain cells causing exspansion of them and that is what causes the migraines . I got this info from my dr and also I got a prescription for sumatriptan and it does help but makes you very drowsy and you cannot do anything after that .

Q: Can I test for type 1 diabetes using things I have at home?
I’ve just been told I may have diabetes [I wasn't told what type but it must be type 1 because I'm only 16 and I have a BMI of 18.5 so I'm obviously not overweight, so it has to be type 1]. I can’t see my doctor for another week, and I really need to know. I can’t order anything online, and I live too far from any drugstores to be able to get there. Is there anything I can do?

A: Was the somebody, that told you that you may have diabetes, a member of
the medical profession? That can be a very mean thing to do, telling
someone they have a medical problem, without having the knowledge
to back it up. Look how you’ve worried and it is highly likely that you
do not have it. Remain calm and see your dr. next week. If you have it,
you will have it all your life and you will learn to manage it. Don’t be
fearful.

Q: Is there an environmental factor to developing type 1 diabetes?
I know that there is for sure when it comes to type 2 diabetes because if a person’s weight is kept in check, he/she will have a better chance of not developing diabetes. But what about type 1 diabetes?

A: Environmental factors that have been implicated:

-Viruses
-Exposure to gluten, soy, and casein (these food proteins can possibly stimulate the autoimmune response in those prone to Type 1 diabetes). Casein (milk protein) studies are being done right now to see if avoiding casein in infant formula will reduce the risk of Type 1 diabetes in infants with the known susceptibility genes. The study is called ‘TRIGR’.
-A lack of Omega 3 EFA and Vitamin D. Recent studies have come out confirming that Omega 3 is protective against Type 1 diabetes, as is Vitamin D. High Vitamin D and Omega 3 levels decrease risk, but do not eliminate it entirely of course.
-Stress, trauma, accidents, illness, and/or pregnancy also seem to cause a shift in immune function that can trigger the disease in people prone to it.
-Some medications have been linked to Type 1 diabetes, although there is usually no conclusive proof in most cases.

All cases of *autoimmune* Type 1 diabetes require an interaction between genes that make them susceptible AND an environmental trigger. Note that there may be *many* possible triggers, and one may need any number of combinations to develop the disease depending on their genes. Different genes may even have different triggers. Also, some people may have so much genetic susceptibility that they will develop the disease from virtually *any* trigger no matter what.

There are cases of “Type 1″ diabetes that are not autoimmune, and can be caused by direct trauma to the pancreas, a virus acting directly on the pancreas (no autoimmunity), or secondary to a disease like Cystic Fibrosis. These cases are referred to as “Type 1B”, “Idiopathic”, or “Secondary” diabetes.

There is also the KIR6.2 genetic mutation, which causes some cases of neonatal (infant) diabetes. This is sometimes mistakenly diagnosed as autoimmune Type 1 diabetes and treated with insulin. Kids with this mutation actually can use oral diabetes medication. This form of diabetes is strictly due to genetics (no trigger and no way to prevent it), and VERY rare.

The study listed in answer above refers to a lack fo sleep and shift work as pertaining to Type 2 diabetes. Often the above leads to an increase in insulin resistance, more fast food consumption, and less exercise. 99% of of studies and media are referring to Type 2 diabetes unless it specifically says otherwise. Type 2 diabetes is often linked to lifestyle and modifiable factors.

Type 1 diabetes is not caused by poor diet, junk food, lack of exercise, obesity, etc.

In other words, yes there are environmental factors associated with Type 1 diabetes, but as of now it is not a preventable disease by any known means.

Q: Is type 1 diabetes hereditary? What are the chances of passing it to your kids?
I’ve dated a girl who is Type 1 diabetic and has several health problems. It has crossed my mind that if I end up marrying her, maybe my kids would have diabetes. Her dad has diabetes and her great uncle died by diabetes as a child several years ago. If I ended up having kids with her, what are the chances of passing the disese to them?

A: A lot depends on several variables in the affected genes: http://www.genetichealth.com/dbts_genetics_of_type_1_diabetes.shtml

In other words, no easy or reliable way to quantify it other than the risk is there.

Q: What kinds of things might trigger type 1 diabetes?
I think I might have diabetes. I’m going to go to the doctor real soon. Until then I have a question i’d like answered. Can anyone tell me, that has type 1 diabetes, what lead you to believe you have it, like i researched a little bit and most of the things said alot of time people get had an illness of some sort that triggered it or something. Any help is greatly appreciated. Sorry about the bad grammar and punctuation.

A: You are right for the most part, usually Type 1 (also known as Juvenile onset, or Insulin Dependant Diabetes), is generally contracted by individuals with a genetic disposition to having it in the first place, (basically this means that usually their genes were programmed with diabetes in the first place), however they ususally do not actually contract diabetes until they are a few years old, usually following a stressful or traumatic situation such as an infection, injury, or environmental change like loss of family, and their immune system attacks the Beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans in the pancrease which produce the body’s insulin, leading to the person getting diabetes.
Another less common way for someone to contract diabetes is for them to suffer a traumatic injury to their pancrease or contract a pancreatic disease such as pancreatitis or Pancreatic Cancer, or suffer something like a car crash which damages the pancrease itself, causing the pancrease to fail to function properly and not produce insulin anymore, however this is very uncommon.

Also, if someone answers that it’s caused by eating sweets or obesity, don’t listen to them, they’re thinking of Type 2 (also known as Adult onset, or Non-Insulin Dependent diabetes), type 1 diabetes has almost no relation to weight or dietary habits.

Q: Jay Cutler has Type 1 diabetes will it effect him playing football?
Cutler has Type 1 diabetes, and this is very serious. I know it sounds greedy to be concerned about football right now, but how bad is this? I know there are a few others that have been able to compete, but honestly what are the chances he will be able to continue as a starting nfl quarterback?

A: ACCORDING TO ESPN NO…SCOTT VAN PELT SAID IT IS NOT SERIOUS ..SO OBVIOUSLY NOT…GO SPORTSCENTER!!!

Q: How are some ways YOU can tell if you have Type 1 Diabetes?
Lately i have been showing the symptoms for type 1 diabetes, and it has been going on this last month.
But my question is for people who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, What was it like when you first thought you had this decease? How did you feel at the time and what were some of the big signs that you had it? PLEASE BE VERY DETAILED

Thank you very much.

A: Frequent Urination. I’m talking i’ll just go to the and then 30 seconds later i’ll need to go again.
Shaking. So bad it’s difficult to write.
Tiredness. Really tired
Vomiting. Like once a day

Q: Why does it matter if you have untreated type 1 diabetes?
When you have type 1 diabetes, why does it matter if your blood sugar is high? What happens if you don’tt treat diabetes? What happens if you don’t take the shots or watch what you eat? Do you die?

A: Simply put — YES — you will die.

Type 1 Diabetes means the your pancreas has pretty much failed completely., Because of this your body produces very little or no insulin, and so there is NO control over your blood sugar.

Extra sugar in the blood attachs itself to the red blood cells (this is called GLYCATING) and the sugar molecules act like tiny little knives, making the red blood cells work like a Rotor-Rooter system in your blood vessels. They start damaging the walls of the blood vessels, causing tiny cuts, clots, and scar tissues.

This is extremely damaging to the capillaries, which are only just a little bit larger then a red blood cell, anyway. These capillaries get ripped to shreds!

Now, your kidneys are FULLL of capillaries, so one major damage of diabetes is kidney failure. And it is usually not reversible. If the blood sugar stays high, the result is kidney failure leading to either death or dialysis.

There are capillaries in the retinas of your eyes. These tend to get cut open, causing a bleed. Many diabetecis go blind.

And also the capillaries in your brain. When these break you get many small strokes. The effect is very much like Alzheimers.

And how about those capillaries in the sex organs — broken capillaries lead to the inability to have sex.

That same glycateds red blood cells also don’t carry as much oxygen. So you constantly feel tired, and wounds don’t heal as well. Many diabetics suffer from gangrene. leading to amputation of feet, legs, fingers, hands, and arms.

ALSO – - – Some of that sugar breaks down and attachs to the nerves. This leads to diabetic neuropathy, which affects every organ in the body, from brain to tips of toes. Since things often “don’t hurt”, the diabetic doesn’t realize that he or she has a serious wound until gangrene sets in.

Optic nerves get damaged, and nerves to the sexual organs get damaged. Also, the nerves to the stomach and intestines get damaged, leading to many digestive problems, including diarhea, which then leads to dehydration.

It doesn’t really matter if you are Type 1 or Type2 — the effects are the same, but Type 1 diabetics are often diagnosed sooner — in childhood. Therefore, Type 1 diabetes is often called Juvenile Diabetes, but this is a misnomer. Even adults can get Type1 diabetes.

Q: What can I do to help my sister with her Type 1 Diabetes?
I have a 10 year old sister who has type 1 diabetes. This December she will have has it for 3 years. She is having a lot of stress with this right now so I am asking what should i do to help her out? And also do you have any advice for her also?

A: It’s tough for younger folks like your sister to be in “good” control of their blood sugar. I was diagnosed when I was 9, and my A1C averaged around 8.5 from when I was 9 to about 14 – which isn’t awful but it’s not very good either. A good range would be from 5.5 – 7.5 for a type 1 diabetic. What can you do to help her control her blood sugar? Not too much, since it is up to her, but you can encourage her to take care of herself. Make sure she is counting how many carbs she is eating and giving the appropriate amount of insulin for that amount. Technically she can eat whatever she wants as long as she makes up for it with insulin, but going crazy w/ sugary foods isn’t a good idea – so make sure she doesn’t binge on foods that are high in sugar. Also, make sure she gets a good amount of exercise. Exercise will help lower her blood sugar + keep her healthy. So just make sure she is active. Make sure she checks her blood sugar regularly. She should always know roughly what her blood sugar is at all times, and if she doesn’t she should check her blood to find out. She should keep it around 80-160. As for low blood sugar, just make sure she always has something on her whenever she’s out of the house in case her blood sugar drops. It’s tough dealing w/ this disease but hey, it could always be much much worse. I have no idea when there will be a cure but I have high hopes that it’ll be in the next 15 years.

Q: Does a test exist to determine if an individual has the gene for Type 1 Diabetes?
Is there really a test that can determine if someone carries the gene for Type 1 Diabetes? I this is true, what chromosome is it in?

A: When I was first diagnosed with type 1, my doctor told me that there is a test to check to see if my sister also has the gene, but he didn’t reccomend getting it since many people have the gene but don’t have type 1.

Sorry, but I couldn’t tell you what chromosome it’s on.

Q: Seeing a girl with type 1 diabetes what should I do?
I recently started seeing a girl with type 1 diabetes and an insulin pump that goes into her body somewhere. I am not that familiar with diabetes and am not sure how to handle it. Not that I think any differently of her im just wondering should I keep some glucose tabs, blood sugar test strips, and things like that around or with the pump is this all controlled and monitored. Or should I not even think about it at all and let her handle everything obviously she should know what to do.

A: Im a Type 1 female and use a pump as well. Ive had a few relationships and its always helpful and more comforting when my boyfriend is aware and understands my diabetes. Its thoughtful of you to be asking.

My advice would be to openly talk to her about it like asking questions about her diet. You can keep that in mind when you go out to eat, or have things around the house for her. Also it would make you more aware so you aren’t suggesting things like an ice cream Sunday for dessert. Diabetes doesn’t mean you CANT have sugar, it just means that you should moderate it. Knowing the carb and sugar content of foods is important because its how we tell how much insulin to take with our meals.
Just because she is a pump user doesn’t mean she has it under control. Everyone has their own regimen or way of handling their diabetes so you can just ask her about it. PPl ask me about my diabetes all the time cause they are curious and I have no problem talking about it. I don’t look at is as a disease, just a lifestyle. I watch what I eat by balancing my meals and counting my carbs and I try to stay active.

Type 1 diabetes is when the pancreas no longer produces insulin and the person becomes insulin dependent. Insulin is what absorbs the sugars and carbohydrates (which are broken down into sugars) from the blood stream and delivers it into the body’s cells for proper energy and metabolism. When there is no insulin or not enough, the sugar accumulates in the blood and is called Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar. That is when manual insulin by injection or a pump is needed – to control the sugar levels. It is just basically having to do what your pancreas does, but she just has to do it manually using the pump and monitoring her diet. There is also low blood sugar or Hypoglycemia which is when there is too much insulin in the system or if she has skipped a meal. That causes the blood sugar to get low and she will feel dizzy, shaky, lightheaded, etc… In that case a small sweet snack will correct it in 10 -15 minutes.

She should have all her supplies on her. My boyfriend always has some diet drinks in the house for me but also keeps around juice incase I feel Hypo (low blood sugar). If we are out and Im not feeling well he always asks how my blood sugar is doing. He never polices me but just checks in and shows that he cares and is concerned for my well being which I really love about him. I openly test myself anytime and anyplace. Its nothing embarrassing or anything im ashamed of so I don’t care what other ppl think. I go bikeriding, to concerts, snowboarding, hiking, and much more with him. He always knows when I need to stop and check myself. Its VERY comforting that he is comfortable and educated about my diabetes cause I feel like I am in good hands and if anything were to happen he would know what to do.

As far as the pump, it depends what model she has, but it can be detachable through a quick release. I use the MiniMed pump and it just snaps off at any time. I take it off when I go swimming, take a shower, and of course when we are intimate.

Q: what is the oldest living age of a person with type 1 Diabetes?
I’m 31 yers old and have had type 1 diabetes for a long time – I’m curious of the oldest age a person has lived to with type 1 diabetes

A: 90 year old Gladys C. Lester Dull is the oldest living type 1 to date. She has been living with type 1 for 83 years. She was diagnosed in 1924, only 3 years after the discovery of insulin.

Q: What are the differences between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes?
I know type one is deadlier. But symptom wise, what are the differences between the 2 types of diabetes?

A: Basically, type 1 is an autoimmune deficiency- meaning that your body starts fighting against itself, and eventually, someone with type 1 diabetes will stop producing insulin (the protein that regulates your blood sugar levels and enables your body to produce energy). This happens very quickly once it’s triggered. As for symptoms… well, it depends what you mean. Before I was diagnosed, I was drinking about ten plus glasses of water and going to the bathroom a completely insane number of times a day. My mouth smelled like dried fruit. Once I even got a migraine during gym class, but I have no idea if that’s related. I felt tired all the time and snapped at people a lot more than usual, too. People diagnosed with type 1 are usually otherwise completely healthy human beings (but I do happen to know that they’re more susceptible to certain kinds of warts and gum disease.) And once you have type 1, you’re stuck with it for the rest of your life- there’s no cure. Insulin injections are just life support.

Type 2 diabetes isn’t quite the same. When someone has type 2, it means that they’re still producing insulin, but their bodies have developed a resistance to it. It’s also very likely that they’re overweight. (The more overweight you are, the less effective your insulin becomes.) The symptoms are much the same as for type 1, but type 2 is a bit more dangerous. Because it is more slow to develop – sometimes taking as much as ten, twenty-some years before a person is properly diagnosed – the high blood sugar has more time to inflict permanent damage to your liver, nerves and general circulation. Unlike type 1, type 2 diabetes can sometimes be cured by losing weight around the belly and putting a more healthy diet into place. You can also take pills that will make your insulin stronger to help you regulate your blood sugars.

So, basically… they have the same symptoms, only type 2 will be slower to develop and likely won’t be caught until the person has had diabetes for quite some time. Type 2 also has the issue of loss of circulation. That’s actually one of the best ways to differentiate between the two.

Q: What is the average/most common age range for developing TYPE 1 diabetes?
what is the average age of the population that has type 1 diabetes?

A: Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children or young adults, but can start at any age.

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas leading to a deficiency of insulin.

The principal treatment of type 1 diabetes, even in its earliest stages, is the delivery of artificial insulin via injection combined with careful monitoring of blood glucose levels using blood testing monitors.

Type 1 treatment must be continued indefinitely in essentially all cases. Treatment need not significantly impair normal activities, if sufficient patient training, awareness, appropriate care, discipline in testing and dosing of insulin is taken.

Q: Does type 1 diabetes only emerge at a young age? And is it hereditary?
Additionally,
what are the MAJOR differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

A: Type 1 diabetes can emerge at any age. However, Diabetes that emerges at a young age is usually Type 1, as opposed to Type 2 which generally occurs after the age of 30.

The cause of Diabetes is not yet known, but studies have shown certain genes to be associated with an increased risk for Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a loss of 90% or more of the insulin (a hormone necessary for the uptake of glucose from blood) producing cells of the pancreas so that very little, if any, insulin is present in the body. In Type 2 Diabetes, on the other hand, insulin is present often in normal or even greater than normal levels. The issue for those with Type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. This resistance means that the insulin present is not very effective, thus more of it is needed, and the body is unable to meet that increased demand for the hormone (insulin).

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