Aging and Disease

Type 1 diabetes is a condition that typically affects individuals under the age of 40. Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes does not have a specific known cause.

Typically, the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes occurs around the age of 14, although it is certainly capable of affecting younger children.

If you or your child has been diagnosed with this disease, know the options for type 1 diabetes treatments in order to ensure that he or she is getting the best care possible.

Furthermore, since type 1 diabetes is typically considered more serious than type 2 diabetes, it is important that everyone around the patient is informed of the correct actions to take should problems or complications occur with his or her condition.

What Causes Type 1 Diabetes?

Currently, there is no specific known cause that is thought to trigger type 1 diabetes in individuals. It is believed that type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, where the body begins to attack itself, however the reason or the cause is still unknown.

Many individuals suffering from type 1 diabetes found the condition followed a previous infection, including polio, mumps, and the Epstein-Barr virus.

Again, there is speculation of this connection, but no concrete evidence has been found at this time to support this theory.

Type 1 Diabetes Treatments

Unlike other types of diabetes that can be controlled using eating schedules and dietary changes, type 1 diabetes must be controlled with insulin shots.

Furthermore, the blood sugars must be monitored on a regular basis so that any spikes or drops in the concentration of the sugar in the blood can be immediately identified. Insulin is injected on a daily basis into fatty cells under the skin.

Using the manner of injection, the body can immediately absorb the material into the blood stream and it can begin working to control the sugar problem. Unfortunately, insulin cannot be swallowed as a pill, since the acid present in the stomach would destroy the proteins that make up the insulin before it can be absorbed in the body.

There are now insulin pumps that are permanently attached to an individual that automatically regulates the amount of insulin in the body. When more insulin is needed, the pump tends to the situation.

Although carrying a pump may be awkward (even though these devices are typically small boxes that can be readily concealed under clothing), having that constant supply of insulin is the best way to go, especially in cases of severe type 1 diabetes.

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