How Type 1 Diabetes Raises Blood Sugar
In the normal digestive process, your body breaks down much of the food you eat into glucose, a simple sugar that’s stored in your body and used for energy. The hormoneinsulin, produced by the pancreas, regulates the amount of glucose in your blood by helping liver, muscle, and fat cells absorb the sugar, as the American Diabetes Association explains.
With type 1 diabetes, the bodys immune system attacks and destroys the pancreass insulin-producing beta cells. Without that hormone, blood sugar rises too high, causing hyperglycemia.
We dont know exactly what triggers this autoimmune process to start, says Charles Scott Thomas, MD, an endocrinologist at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center in Los Angeles. There is likely a genetic component that places patients at risk, with some environmental influences as well.
People who have type 1 diabetes must replace insulin every day through injections and monitor their blood glucose throughout the day.
Risk Factors Associated With Type 2 Diabetes
Age: People who are above the age of 45 are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Obesity: Having excess weight puts you at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Losing extra weight is the best way to avoid the problem of both obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Family history: If one of your ancestors has experienced type 2 diabetes earlier, then there are high chances for you to inherit the same condition.
Pregnancy: Pregnant women are more likely to develop gestational diabetes, which may lead to type 2 diabetes within 15 years of pregnancy.
Do I Have Other Treatment Options For My Type 1 Diabetes
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has played an important role in developing artificial pancreas technology. An artificial pancreas replaces manual blood glucose testing and the use of insulin shots. A single system monitors blood glucose levels around the clock and provides insulin or a combination of insulin and glucagon automatically. The system can also be monitored remotely, for example by parents or medical staff.
In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a type of artificial pancreas system called a hybrid closed-loop system. This system tests your glucose level every 5 minutes throughout the day and night through a continuous glucose monitor, and automatically gives you the right amount of basal insulin, a long-acting insulin, through a separate insulin pump. You still need to manually adjust the amount of insulin the pump delivers at mealtimes and when you need a correction dose. You also will need to test your blood with a glucose meter several times a day. Talk with your health care provider about whether this system might be right for you.
The illustration below shows the parts of a type of artificial pancreas system.
Starting in late 2016 and early 2017, the NIDDK has funded several important studies on different types of artificial pancreas devices to better help people with type 1 diabetes manage their disease. The devices may also help people with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
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You Need To Pee Frequently
One of the early signs of high blood sugar is an increased urge to pee.
When your kidneys notice sugar surge, they begin overworking to filter and absorb the excess blood glucose. Because of the increased kidney function, youll feel thirsty, drink water more and visit the bathroom frequently.
If this problem messes with your sleep schedule i.e disturb your sleep at night you might want to seek a professionals opinion.
Diabetes: 12 Warning Signs That Appear On Your Skin
Diabetes can affect many parts of your body, including your skin. When diabetes affects the skin, its often a sign that your blood sugar levels are too high. This could mean that:
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You have undiagnosed diabetes, or pre-diabetes
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Your treatment for diabetes needs to be adjusted
If you notice any of the following warning signs on your skin, its time to talk with your doctor.
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Vascular Changes That Occur With More Advanced Disease
In advanced Type II Diabetes, diabetic retinopathy is among the vascular conditions associated with the illness . The situation leads to complicated vascular issues, including the peripheral retina and the macula . In the process, abnormal vessels appear to complicate retina functioning. In addition, advanced Type II Diabetes through vascular changes enhances vision loss. Another vascular disorder in the advanced stage of the disease affects the neuropathy order of the body . Severe renal dysfunction comes from the development of the condition that attributes to increased urination and microalbuminuria presence in the body. According to research studies, microvascular conditions cause more than 70% of deaths in patients suffering from Type II Diabetes . Thus, in the advanced stage of the disease, the conditions develop. Other vascular complications include cerebrovascular disease and peripheral artery diseases, among others . All these conditions increase the chances of patients dying because of their severity. However, patients start to receive treatment in the early stages as a way of preventing the condition from moving to the advanced stage.
Maybe It’s A Different Type
If you or someone you know is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but isnt responding well to the typical treatments for type 2 diabetes, it may be worth a visit to an endocrinologist to determine what type of diabetes is happening. Generally, this requires antibody tests and possibly the measurement of a C-peptide level.
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Research And Statistics: How Many People Have Type 1 Diabetes And Who Are They
Type 1 affects people of all ages. Here are some more facts and figures on type 1 diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes affects at least 1.4 million adults ages 20 years or older or 5.2 percent of all adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to the CDC.
- The agency also reports that at least 187,000 youth under age 20 have type 1 diabetes.
- Each year there is an estimated 64,000 new cases of type 1 diabetes in people under age 64 in the United States , according to a 2017 study published in BMC Medicine.
- Type 1 diabetes treatment can be very expensive. The average yearly cost spent on insulin by people with type 1 diabetes was $5,705 in 2016, according to Health Care Cost Institute.
Increase In Frequency Of Urination
The kidneys help process and filter glucose, with much of it normally being reabsorbed into the body. However, when blood glucose gets very high, it can be too demanding for the kidneys to process, causing glucose to spill over into the urine and be excreted from the body.
If you notice you or your child are urinating more than is normal for you, it is worth investigating, especially if other early signs of diabetes accompany it.
For children, sometimes this can present as nighttime bedwetting and having accidents after they have been potty trained and normally stay dry at night. In adults, you might not notice the increased frequency at first, but be aware if it leads to waking at night to urinate.
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Testing For Type 1 Diabetes
A simple blood test will let you know if you have diabetes. If youve gotten your blood sugar tested at a health fair or pharmacy, follow up at a clinic or doctors office to make sure the results are accurate.
If your doctor thinks you have type 1 diabetes, your blood may also be tested for autoantibodies that are often present with type 1 diabetes but not with type 2. You may have your urine tested for ketones , which also indicate type 1 diabetes instead of type 2.
Type 1 Diabetes Resources We Love
As mentioned, type 1 diabetes is a lifelong disease that requires active management throughout the day, every day. This reality can be daunting for someone who has just received a diagnosis. Dutta advises that you find out as much as you can, and dont be afraid to speak up or seek help. Learn about the disease. Knowledge is power, he says.
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Early Signs And Symptoms Of Diabetes
Many early signs and symptoms of diabetes may be subtle and easily written off as something minor or nothing to worry about. However, they should be taken seriously, as quick action could prevent more serious symptoms and complications from occurring.
People with type 1 diabetes tend to experience a sudden onset of symptoms, while people with type 2 diabetes often experience a more gradual onset. Most of the early signs of diabetes are the same for all types of diabetes. However, a couple tend to be unique to the type.
What Problems Can Happen With Type 1 Diabetes
Not having the right amount of sugar in the blood can lead to:
- hyperglycemia: This is when blood sugars are too high. Kids with hyperglycemia may be extra thirsty, pee more than usual, and lose weight. High blood sugars can be treated. If they arent, kids can develop health issues later in life.
- diabetic ketoacidosis : This serious condition needs treatment right away. When theres not enough insulin in the body to let the glucose into the cells, the body starts to break down fat instead of sugar. Symptoms of DKA can include nausea, vomiting, belly pain, fast breathing, and, in severe cases, unconsciousness.
- hypoglycemia: This is when blood sugars are too low and can sometime happen when people are being treated for diabetes. Symptoms can include headache, weakness, shakiness, anxiety, and sweating.
- growth and development problems: Some kids might grow slower than their peers or start puberty later than usual.
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When Cgm Service Fails: 5 Tips For A Creating A Backup Plan
When an insulin pump and CGM are integrated, the CGM can deliver information to the pump about the patients current blood sugar level and the trend of the blood sugar. This allows the pump to potentially alter insulin delivery to help maintain blood sugars more within a healthy range, says Thomas. While the patient still needs to be very involved with his or her own diabetes management, these devices offer a helping hand.
Rare Until It Happens To You: Kycies Story
Kycie Terry, the second youngest of six children, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on January 30th, 2015 while in DKA .
Where her story differs from many who live with undiagnosed Type 1 and go into DKA is that she ultimately experienced cerebral edema, a condition where fluid builds up around the brain, causing pressure and swelling. This complication was occurring unbeknownst to the healthcare providers treating her at the time, wreaking havoc on Kycies brain and nervous system as she slept in her ER room bed.
Less than 1% of pediatric patients in DKA experience cerebral edema, making it rare, though this statistic was of little comfort to the Terry family. As her father Josh put it, Its always rare until it happens to you. Read Kycies story here.
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Youre Suddenly Losing Weight
Fluctuating weight is also a shocking symptom of diabetes in women thats often ignored.
Low levels of insulin affect sugar absorption and energy generation. So your body finds new ways to replace glucose. The easiest way is to burn excess fat and use it to generate energy, causing sudden weight loss.
If youve lost up to 5% or more of your body weight within a short period, it could be a sign of too high blood sugar levels.
Are There Other Symbols For Diabetes
The two main diabetes awareness symbols are the blue circle and the grey and blue ribbon. Like all brands, when it comes to diabetes organizations, there are many logos and symbols to choose from. JDRF has used the blue sneaker for many years. Beyond Type 1 has adopted the dotted tear drop. Children with Diabetes has the yellow smiley face.
Here at Diabetes Advocacy, our symbol has evolved from a phoenix with a grey ribbon around its neck into the phoenix with the blue circle.
The phoenix was chosen to reflect our rising from the devastation of a type 1 diabetes diagnosis and embracing the community we are part of. The blue circle further represents our continued involvement in and commitment to the diabetes community.
Are you looking for a variety of symbols for diabetes and awareness images that you can share? Download FREE awareness images with diabetes symbols to share in your own social media posts.
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Diabetes Type 1 Symptoms
Type 1 diabetes is commonly diagnosed in childhood and adolescence. It is a condition where a persons pancreas produces a negligible amount of insulin because the insulin-producing cells also known as beta cells get attacked by the bodys immune cells. Since cells need insulin to get energy from glucose, a person having type 1 diabetes might need to get regular injections of insulin to manage the level of glucose in the blood and use it for energy. Diabetes type 1 symptoms generally show up fast and give a worse experience to the person having it.
Some of the symptoms associated with type 1 diabetes include:
- Sudden weight loss: During type 1 diabetes, your body stops producing insulin that is responsible for transferring glucose to the cells that provide energy to the body. Due to the lack of energy, your body will start burning muscle and fat. It results in sudden or unplanned weight loss even though you havent started dieting.
- Vomiting: Nausea or vomiting is a result of sudden weight loss. During unplanned weight loss, your body resorts to burning fat and produces ketones. It builds up in your blood and leads to a dangerous and life-threatening condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis. This condition can make you feel sick.
Whats The Difference Between Signs Vs Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes symptoms are experienced by a person with diabetes, but signs of type 1 diabetes can also be noted by friends and family even if the person who is having the symptoms may not notice them or may be unable to communicate because they are in the throes of diabetic ketoacidosis. Common signs of T1D to watch out for include:
- Weight loss, despite eating more
- Changes to menstruation
- Rapid heart rate
- Reduced blood pressure
- Low body temperature
- Acting or seeming drunk while sober, which is a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis
- Breath that is fruity or smells like nail polish remover which is another sign of ketosis
- Chronic skin infections
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What Are The Early Symptoms For Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the progression is usually far more dramatic. A silent auto-immune attack begins , and the pancreas suddenly loses the ability to produce insulin.
Full stop.
Within a matter of weeks, or sometimes months, a fully healthy individual is deprived of bio-available insulin. Glucose levels will climb to dangerously high levels, and with it, ketone bodies will build up.
Ketones are an organic compound the body makes when there is not enough Insulin in the blood. In the absence of insulin, the body searches for energy from other sources and begins to break down fat for fuel.
Ketones are the byproduct of this process. Ketones in the blood can bring about a general malaise of cranky fatigue and weakness.
High Ketones also make the stomach more acidic leading to nausea and vomiting. In an attempt to rid the body of sugar in any way possible, the body will signal the brain to drink more water to flush the kidneys, and even a persons breath will smell sweet and fruity. At its worst, the ketones can escalate to dangerous levels in the bloodstream and a person can enterDiabetic Ketoacidosis .
Type 1 diabetes can also strike at any age. The abrupt halt of Insulin production and rapidly elevated glucose levels can turn to DKA very quickly. These early signs are critical, emergent, and always requires urgent medical attention and a lifelong commitment to insulin injections.
What Are The Symptoms Of Diabetes
T1D is identified in children and adults as they show signs of the following symptoms:
Although the signs of diabetes can begin to show early, sometimes it takes a person a while to recognize the symptoms. This often makes it seem like signs and symptoms of diabetes appear suddenly. Thats why its important to pay attention to your body, rather than simply brushing them off. To that end, here are some type 1 and type 2 diabetes symptoms that you may want to watch out for:
If youre experiencing frequent urination your body might be telling you that your kidneys are trying to expel excess sugar in your blood. The resulting dehydration may then cause extreme thirst.
Along the same lines, the lack of available fluids may also give you dry mouth and itchy skin.
If you experience increased hunger or unexpected weight loss it could be because your body isnt able to get adequate energy from the food you eat.
High blood sugar levels can affect blood flow and cause nerve damage, which makes healing difficult. So having slow-healing cuts/sores is also a potential sign of diabetes.
Yeast infections may occur in men and women who have diabetes as a result of yeast feeding on glucose.
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Signs And Symptoms Type 1 Diabetes
Up to 5 Irish children and teenagers are diagnosed each week with Type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition affecting 1 in 500 children with onset over days or weeks. The condition tends to occur in childhood or early adult life and will require daily insulin therapy. It is caused by the bodys own immune system destroying the insulin-making cells of the pancreas.
Diagnosis
A simple finger prick test by a GP can lead to early diagnosis and avoid the risk of developing DKA.
Early diagnosis is vital to ensure that Diabetic ketoacidosis does not develop. DKA is a potentially life threatening condition that requires urgent medical attention.
In 2014, 1 in 6 children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes were admitted to hospital with DKA, as a result of late diagnosis.
Signs and Symptoms
Knowing the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes is vital. Up to five children and teenagers are diagnosed each week with Type 1 diabetes in Ireland with 10% having a late diagnosis resulting in critical illness.
The four main symptoms of Type 1 diabetes are easy to remember:
- Thirst: Excess drinking, unable to quench thirst.
- Toilet: Frequent urination, particularly at night.
- Tiredness: Lack of energy, sleeping more than usual.
- Weight loss: Rapid weight loss over a short period.
If these symptoms present themselves, immediate attention is needed. A simple blood glucose test by your GP can check for Type 1 diabetes.
Less common symptoms:
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