Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes include:
- Frequent urination (polyurea)
- Excessive Thirst (polydipsia)
- Excessive hunger (polyphasia)
- Rapid weight loss
Causes of Type 1 Diabetes:
- Partly genetic
- Autoimmune process where body thinks the Beta cells in the pancreas (where insulin is produced) is the enemy and they self-destruct
- Viral infection may be the trigger for the process to begin
Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes (preferably by a diabetes specialist called an Endocrinologist):
- Insulin injections
- Diet
- Exercise
- Self Blood Glucose Monitoring
- Education
Type 1 Diabetes - Goals of Treatment:
Blood glucose control goals should be set by a team comprised of the physician, patient, family members, and other diabetes management team members. Goals should be individualized to fit patient characteristics and needs.
- Prevent symptoms of high blood glucose/sugar (hyperglycemia)
- Prevent ketosis
- Maintain weight within a desirable range
- Maintain normal growth rate in children and adolescents
- Minimize low blood glucose/sugar (hypoglycemia)
- prevent hospitalization
- Prevent or postpone the development of retinopathy (eye disease), nephropathy (kidney disease), neuropathy (nerve damage), heart disease, and stroke
- Before meals blood glucose/sugar = 80-120 mg/dL
- Bedtime blood glucose/sugar = 100-140 mg/dL
