Living With Type 1 Diabetes
ABOUT TYPE 1
Why Does It Happen?
Type 1 diabetes happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells in the pancreas. It is important to know that type 1 diabetes is NOT preventable and it is NOT caused by eating too much sugar; it is not your fault in any way shape or form.
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What Is It?
To understand what’s happening when you’re diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, it’s important to know that your body gets energy from food by breaking down carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Carbohydrates are the focus of type 1 diabetes, because once carbohydrates pass through your digestive system, they are converted to glucose molecules that your body needs to extract from your blood stream and redistribute to your cells. The hormone responsible for properly extracting and redistributing glucose is insulin, and it’s produced by your pancreas. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas can no longer produce insulin. The result is that glucose builds up in the bloodstream causing hyperglycemia. The only way to manage hyperglycemia and minimize the short term and long term effects of type 1 is to use insulin therapy.
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Who Gets It?
Type 1 is usually diagnosed before the age of thirty, although it occurs most often during childhood and teen years, and cases that develop later are relatively rare. Of everyone diagnosed with diabetes, only 5% - 10% are diagnosed with type 1.
How Is It Managed? – (The Very Short Version)
Type 1 diabetes is managed through insulin therapy via syringe, reusable insulin pen, or pump. It’s important for type 1 diabetics to thoroughly control their diet and have an understanding of how carbohydrates, fat, protein, and fiber work in conjunction with one another to impact how much insulin should be taken. Ideally, diabetics are committed to a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
