We Know: All About Juvenile and Type 1 Diabetes

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose. This is caused by defects in the body's insulin production. Serious health complications and premature death can result.

What is Juvenile or Type 1 Diabetes?

People who have Type 1 Diabetes are dependant on insulin. This happens when the body's immune system destroys insulin-making cells that regulate blood glucose. This disease strikes children and young adults (juvenile onset diabetes), but can also occur any at age. Type 1 Diabetes accounts for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

What are the risk- factors of Type 1 Diabetes?

Risk factors of Type 1 Diabetes may include:

  • Auto immune diabetes resulting from a defect in the immune system
  • Genetic factors passed down from parents
  • Environmental factors including certain viruses or allergic reactions

Can Type 1 Diabetes be prevented?

Contrary to popular belief, Type 1 Diabetes cannot be prevented by diet, or exercise. In fact, there is no known way to prevent it.

How is Type 1 Diabetes Treated?

Proper management of diabetes includes:

  • daily blood sugar testing
  • insulin injections
  • careful meal planning

Can Type 1 Diabetes be cured?

The only way to cure Type 1 Diabetes is to replace the destroyed beta cells or replace their function. Whole-pancreas transplants have been successful in restoring insulin production in people with advanced diabetes. Because of significant risks, the procedure has been limited to those who are also undergoing kidney transplant. An experimental process for restoring insulin called an Islet cell transplant is being investigated.

How can Type 1 Diabetes affect me?

Serious complications can result in diabetics who do not manage their disease. They include:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Chronic renal failure (and would need dialysis)
  • Retinal Damage
  • Blindness
  • Nerve damage (which may cause erectile dysfunction or gangrene)


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