In the past, diabetes type 1 was referred to as juvenile-onset or childhood diabetes. However, the name has changed. It typically appears in children 4 years and up, particularly in adolescents. The disease also affects adults, especially those who are between the late 30s and early 40s.
The condition is the result of the body being unable to produce enough insulin. Why this happens is not yet known, but it is believed to be a genetic condition. The body requires insulin in order to function properly. Insulin is responsible for converting glucose into energy. Insulin is produced during food digestion, specifically when the food is transferred from the bloodstream and into the cells in the body. In a normal healthy person, the beta cells in the pancreas produce insulin. A person diagnosed with the disease has damaged beta cells, the result of which is a reduction of the insulin produced or none at all.
In the United States, around one million people have it, with more than 10,000 people being diagnosed with the condition annually. More men than women suffer from this condition. It also appears that it affects more non-Hispanic whites, African Americans and Hispanic Americans.
It has a number of symptoms. The most common symptoms of people diagnosed with the disease are the result of the buildup of glucose in the bloodstream. These symptoms include the following frequent urination, constant thirst and hunger, exhaustion, lack of energy, blurred vision and nausea. Often, it is the result of ketoacidosis, a condition wherein the body begins breaking down fat for energy because of extremely high blood glucose levels. When this happens, chemicals called “ketones” begin to build up in the bloodstream. This results to vomiting, stomach pains and nausea. If ketoacidosis is not treated right away, it can lead to rapid breathing, coma and even death.
For more information on diabetes type 1 and other diabetes related topics, visit A1 Diabetes Info at www.a1diabetesinfo.com
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