Diabetes type 1

Diabetes type 1

Type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 5-10% of all diabetes cases. Type 1 diabetes is caused by a lack of the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar. The vast majority of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are children.

What is type 1 diabetes?

Diabetes type 1 is a lifelong disease that you can live well with, but with unsatisfactory treatment, this is also a disease from which you can die. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system destroys the cells that make insulin (the beta cells in the pancreas). This causes the body to lack insulin. A lack of insulin means that sugar in the blood is not transported into the cells. As a result, the body is unable to use sugar as an energy source, which gives the characteristic symptoms of diabetes.

Causes of diabetes type 1

The causes of type 1 diabetes are a combination of heredity and unknown environmental factors. Those who have a close relative with type 1 diabetes more often get type 1 diabetes. At the same time, most people with a hereditary tendency to get diabetes avoid developing the disease.

The incidence of type 1 diabetes is increasing. This may indicate that environmental factors play an important role in the development of the disease. Which environmental factors are important is unknown, but there is a lot of research into this.

Type 1 diabetes most often occurs in childhood and adolescence, but can occur at any age. LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) is a form of type 1 diabetes that occurs in adulthood.

Symptoms of diabetes type 1

Symptoms resulting from type 1 diabetes are usually severe and the disease is almost always detected quickly. Typical symptoms of high blood sugar:

• Strong thirst and frequent urination

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

• Nausea

Good advice for type 1 diabetes

If you have type 1 diabetes, good regulation of your blood sugar is essential to prevent late complications.

• Measure your blood sugar regularly and get good blood sugar control.

• Familiarize yourself with the disease, learn to recognize your body's signals of low and high blood sugar.

• A good diet is important for all diabetics, as it forms the basis for good blood sugar control. Read more about diet and diabetes here.

• Always have sugar or something sugary with you so you can avoid feeling down (low blood sugar).

• Be physically active.

• Do not smoke! Read about quitting smoking here.

• Everyone with diabetes must be checked regularly by a doctor, where the eyes, kidneys and feet are examined.

• Pay attention to your oral hygiene, as diabetics are particularly susceptible to mouth and gum problems. High-fluoride toothpaste, such as Duraphat, may be relevant to prevent cavities in the teeth (caries).

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Late complications in type 1 diabetes

High blood sugar over time damages the body's blood vessels. This increases the risk that other diseases may occur as a result of diabetes.

• Heart attack

• Kidney disease

• Stroke

• Impaired vision or blindness

• Impotence

• Painful neuropathy (nerve disease)

• Foot complications

Late complications as a result of diabetes can be prevented by ensuring good blood sugar control and regular check-ups with a doctor. In addition, one should avoid or minimize other risk factors for late complications, such as high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and high cholesterol.

Treatment of type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes must be treated with insulin. Insulin is broken down in the stomach and intestinal system, so insulin must be given by syringe or insulin pump.

The treatment goal for diabetics is to be symptom-free, have a high quality of life and a normal lifespan. One tries to imitate the pancreas's production of insulin as best as possible. To achieve this, the amount of insulin must be adjusted according to, among other things, meals and physical activity. Treatment of type 1 diabetes is demanding.

When should you contact a doctor for type 1 diabetes?

For symptoms such as strong thirst, lethargy and frequent urination.

If you think you have diabetes.

You can buy or order preparation of your prescription medicines here.

Sources:

Norwegian drug handbook for healthcare personnel, Norwegian electronic medical handbook, Norwegian Diabetes Association, Institute of Public Health, Novo Nordisk and the Directorate of Health.