Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 By: Jennifer Marks

What is it… Also known as juvenile diabetes, or juvenile- onset diabetes It’s an autoimmune disease that occurs when T cells attack and decimate the beta cells in the pancreas that are needed to produce insulin, so that the pancreas makes too little/no insulin. Without the capacity to make adequate amounts of insulin, the body is not able to metabolize blood sugar, to use it efficiently for energy, and toxic acids build up in the body. Also known as juvenile diabetes, or juvenile- onset diabetes It’s an autoimmune disease that occurs when T cells attack and decimate the beta cells in the pancreas that are needed to produce insulin, so that the pancreas makes too little/no insulin. Without the capacity to make adequate amounts of insulin, the body is not able to metabolize blood sugar, to use it efficiently for energy, and toxic acids build up in the body.

Etiology (cause) The islet cells of the pancreas that produce insulin are seen as the "enemy" by mistake. The body then creates antibodies to fight the "foreign" tissue and destroys the islet cells' ability to produce insulin. The lack of sufficient insulin thereby results in diabetes. Sometimes it follows a viral infection such as mumps, rubella, cytomegalovirus, measles, influenza, encephalitis, polio, or Epstein-Barr virus. Other less common (very rare) causes of type 1 diabetes include injury to the pancreas from toxins, trauma, or after the surgical removal of the majority (or all) of the pancreas. The islet cells of the pancreas that produce insulin are seen as the "enemy" by mistake. The body then creates antibodies to fight the "foreign" tissue and destroys the islet cells' ability to produce insulin. The lack of sufficient insulin thereby results in diabetes. Sometimes it follows a viral infection such as mumps, rubella, cytomegalovirus, measles, influenza, encephalitis, polio, or Epstein-Barr virus. Other less common (very rare) causes of type 1 diabetes include injury to the pancreas from toxins, trauma, or after the surgical removal of the majority (or all) of the pancreas.

Signs/Symptoms Most people with type 1 diabetes have symptoms of high blood sugar levels. This includes: –Excessive thirst –Feeling tired –Needing to urinate frequently –Losing weight without trying –Blurred vision –Extreme hunger –Loss of feeling/tingling feeling in feet Most people with type 1 diabetes have symptoms of high blood sugar levels. This includes: –Excessive thirst –Feeling tired –Needing to urinate frequently –Losing weight without trying –Blurred vision –Extreme hunger –Loss of feeling/tingling feeling in feet

Diagnostic Procedures The main diagnostic test for diabetes is taking a blood test to measure glucose

Treatment Not yet a cure for diabetes Must inject insulin –Cannot take pills Follow a diet plan Exercise adequately daily Test their blood glucose several times a day Not yet a cure for diabetes Must inject insulin –Cannot take pills Follow a diet plan Exercise adequately daily Test their blood glucose several times a day

Prognosis Life long disease Usually begins in childhood or young adulthood, but can develop at any age. Most the time develops in people with a family history of type 1 diabetes, but it also develops in people with no family history of diabetes. Also being overweight can affect things Life long disease Usually begins in childhood or young adulthood, but can develop at any age. Most the time develops in people with a family history of type 1 diabetes, but it also develops in people with no family history of diabetes. Also being overweight can affect things

Prevention Currently there is no way to prevent it People with type 1 diabetes can help prevent or delay the development of complications by keeping their blood sugar near normal levels. They also need regular medical checkups to detect early signs of complications. Currently there is no way to prevent it People with type 1 diabetes can help prevent or delay the development of complications by keeping their blood sugar near normal levels. They also need regular medical checkups to detect early signs of complications.