What exactly is type 1 diabetes?

Learn some basics about type 1 diabetes and how to manage it.

There’s no doubt that type 1 diabetes can be an overwhelming disease to deal with. Let’s learn some facts about the disease and its development.

According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin because the body destroys its own cells that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood glucose levels by allowing glucose into the cells to be used (glucose = sugar). When insulin is not present, the glucose stays in the blood and builds up while the cells starve from the lack of glucose. If left untreated, the excess glucose in the blood can cause damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and in some cases, it can lead to further complications including death.

It is not fully understood why people develop type 1 diabetes (or why the body attacks its own cells) but researchers believe that genetics and environmental components play a major role. Currently, there’s no cure for diabetes. However, diabetes is a disease that can be managed by balancing medication, healthy eating and physical activity. This balance may help individuals with type 1 diabetes keep their blood glucose under control and their reduce their risk of developing further complications. This balancing act will also tell individuals with type 1 diabetes how much insulin to take as it varies based on the previous factors and from person to person.

For more information on diabetes or making healthy lifestyle changes, please visit Michigan State University Extension.

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