Understanding Type 1 Diabetes

The digestive system breaks down food. This creates a sugar called glucose. Some of this sugar is stored in the liver. But most of it goes into your blood. It travels to your cells to be used as fuel. A hormone called insulin lets glucose go into the cells. Insulin is made in the pancreas. This is an organ in your belly. The insulin is released into the blood when there is glucose in the blood. Think of insulin as a key. Insulin attaches to the cell wall when it reaches a cell. This tells the cell to let glucose in.

Special cells in the pancreas make insulin. These are called beta cells. In most people, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. This means the body's immune system harms the beta cells. Then the pancreas can't make as much insulin. In children, this often happens quickly. It isn't as fast in adults. Without insulin, your cells can't get glucose to burn for energy. This is why you may feel weak or tired.

Without insulin, glucose can’t go into cells. It stays in your blood. Your liver puts even more glucose into the blood. This may lead to higher and higher blood sugar levels. This is called hyperglycemia. High blood sugar levels can cause serious health problems over time.

Your cells burn fat when they can’t get glucose to burn for energy. This leaves behind acids called ketones in your blood and urine. This is called ketosis. High blood sugar, high ketones, and other chemical changes in the blood (metabolic acidosis) can cause diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is a dangerous condition. For some people, DKA is the first sign of type 1 diabetes.

The insulin you are missing can be replaced. Insulin can't be taken by mouth. That's because it's broken down during digestion. But the insulin you are missing can be replaced with shots (injections) of insulin. Some people use an insulin pump. Then your body can burn glucose for energy. This helps keep your blood sugar in a healthy range.

Over time, high blood sugar levels can harm blood vessels. This can lead to health problems. Keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range can help prevent or delay complications. Balancing insulin, diet, and activity is important. Complications that may happen include:

• Eye problems

• Kidney disease

• Nerve damage

• Digestion problems

• Sexual problems

• Tooth and gum problems

• Skin and foot problems

• Heart and blood vessel disease

Managing type 1 diabetes has both physical and emotional challenges. But you can do well by sticking to your medicine and glucose monitoring schedule. You can balance your medicine, your daily exercise, and your nutrition plan. Over time, these things will get easier to do.

Ask your team about a service called diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES). You will learn skills to help you better manage your diabetes and find support when you need it. This service may be given in a group setting or one-on-one with your team.