Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body regulate blood sugar levels. Without sufficient insulin, glucose (sugar) builds up in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels, which can cause serious complications over time.
Unlike Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes is not linked to lifestyle factors, and it is most commonly diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can occur at any age.
Causes of Type 1 Diabetes
The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is not fully understood, but it is believed to be an autoimmune disorder. In this process, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas called beta cells. Genetic and environmental factors, such as viral infections, may also contribute to the development of Type 1 diabetes.
Signs and Symptoms
Some common signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include:
Excessive thirst and dry mouth
Frequent urination
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme hunger
Fatigue or feeling sluggish
Blurry vision
Irritability or mood swings
Unexplained cuts or bruises that take longer to heal
How Is Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosed?
Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed through several blood tests that check for high glucose levels. The most common tests include:
Fasting Blood Sugar Test: Measures your blood sugar level after fasting for at least 8 hours.
Hemoglobin A1C Test: Shows your average blood sugar level over the past 2–3 months.
Random Blood Sugar Test: Measures blood sugar levels at any time of day, regardless of meals.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures how your body responds to glucose.
Managing Type 1 Diabetes
Managing Type 1 diabetes requires a careful balance of insulin, diet, exercise, and blood sugar monitoring. The primary treatment involves:
Insulin Therapy: People with T1D need to take insulin to replace the insulin their body no longer produces. This can be done through injections or an insulin pump.
Blood Sugar Monitoring: Regular blood sugar checks help ensure that glucose levels stay within a healthy range. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can provide real-time data and alerts.
Healthy Eating: A balanced diet is crucial for managing blood sugar levels. People with Type 1 diabetes need to learn how to count carbohydrates and understand how different foods affect their blood sugar.
Exercise: Physical activity helps regulate blood sugar levels. It’s important to monitor blood sugar before, during, and after exercise.
Complications of Type 1 Diabetes
If not properly managed, Type 1 diabetes can lead to a variety of complications, including:
Heart Disease: Increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
Kidney Disease: High blood sugar can damage the kidneys over time.
Nerve Damage: High glucose levels can lead to nerve damage, causing pain, tingling, or loss of feeling.
Eye Problems: Diabetes increases the risk of blindness or vision loss from conditions like diabetic retinopathy.
Diabtic ketoacidosis
E-Consultation Form
What we do at TOTALL for Type 1 Diabetes
While Type 1 diabetes requires ongoing management, people living with T1DM can lead full and active lives.
At TOTALL we provide you
Support from doctors, dietitians, and diabetes educators.
Support to handle the stress of daily diabetes management.
Education on new technologies and treatments that can help improve quality of life.
The entire staff here is very good, they treat you well, Doctor sir understands very well and talks frankly. It felt very good here, all the doubts related to diabetes were cleared, Thank you so much everyone.
Earlier I was undergoing some treatment, there was no difference in my condition, when I got total then my sugar got benefited, I am satisfied, thank you total.
Excellent Diabetes Care!I had a great experience at Totall. The doctors and staff were highly knowledgeable, compassionate, and attentive to my needs. They provided a well-structured diabetes management plan, including diet, exercise, and medication guidance.
My experience in totally hospital is very satisfy. doctor is also very knowledgeable and cooperative,&staff of this hospital is very helpful & genuine.thank you totally team.
Under the guidance of Dr. Sunil m Jain I experienced a high standard of care and attention to detail making him an exceptional endocrinology in Indore.