Symptoms & Treatments Of Type I Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes can be detected with a blood test to measure the level of glucose in the blood. It may be necessary to fast for eight hours before the blood sample is taken.

Glucose is one of the key fuels used by the cells of the body for its energy needs.
The brain and nervous system use only glucose, while most other cells can also utilise fat for energy.
As a result of the lack of insulin output in Type 1 diabetes, the blood sugar level climbs and glucose starts to appear in urine.

Type 1 diabetes takes only a few weeks to develop. The initial symptoms are:

• increased production of urine (because the body tries to get rid of the excess glucose in the urine, diluting it with water),
• excessive thirst,
• fatigue (because the glucose is not being converted into energy),
• loss of weight,
• increased appetite,
• feeling sick,
• blurred vision,
• infections such as thrush or irritation of the genitals.

If type 1 diabetes is not treated at this stage, the body begins to produce chemicals called ketones that build up in the blood. This condition – diabetic ketoacidosis – causes additional symptoms:

• vomiting,
• stomach pain,
• rapid breathing,
• increased pulse rate,
• sleepiness.

Without treatment, diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to coma or death.

Treatment

Type 1 diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be controlled by insulin injections. Insulin cannot be taken in tablet form because it is destroyed by the acids in the stomach. Insulin injections are usually self-administered into the skin of the abdomen two or four times a day, using either a traditional hypodermic needle or a "pen" type syringe with refillable cartridges. There are different kinds of insulin that work at different rates and act for different lengths of time.

Diabetes is treated by:

• regular injections of insulin. These are given daily or several times a day, depending on the type of insulin used.
  
• staying physically active and getting plenty of exercise
  
• maintaining a steady weight
  
• eating a proper diet containing a controlled amount of carbohydrates.
  

The goal of insulin treatment is to control the amount of insulin in the bloodstream so glucose levels are normal, or near normal.
Treatment for diabetes depends on the individual. It starts the first time you give yourself an insulin injection, and continues through starting an exercise programme and eating the right types and amounts of food.
Your healthcare team dietician, GP and diabetes nurse are all on hand to give advice and guidance.