Type 1 Diabetes Causes, Signs & Symptoms, Effects, Prevention, Treatment, Home Remedies

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Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world in current times. There are various types of diabetes and they all affect a person due to several causes. The type which affects mostly the kids and young adults is known as Type 1 Diabetes or Juvenile Diabetes.

Although it is not the major kind of diabetes as it happens in only 5% of the people who are diagnosed with Diabetes mellitus. Still, the symptoms as well as the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes are along the similar lines of other types of diabetes.

A good and proper amount of knowledge about the disease helps a lot in preventing it. So let’s learn more about Type 1 Diabetes.

What happens in Type 1 Diabetes: Definition & Meaning

As per the Type 1 Diabetes definition and meaning, when you are diagnosed with this disease, the beta cells (subset of pancreatic cells) are badly destroyed and lose the ability to produce enough insulin that your body needs. Once this happens, the glucose which gets into the bloodstream cannot be absorbed by body cells and it accumulates as sugar in your blood which can further lead to many complications.

The worst thing about Type 1 Diabetes is that it cannot be cured either through drugs or any kind of oral medication. We can only treat it after the symptoms begin to show so that it doesn’t harm our body. But in all cases, a diabetic patient must consult a doctor and only then begin with its diagnosis. Well, it is a chronic sugar disease; therefore, a person with Type 1 Diabetes must get it diagnosed as soon as the early signs show up.

Main Causes of Type 1 Diabetes

All kinds of diabetes are usually caused by the same major causes that affect our body. These causes usually develop due to poor lifestyle habits or unhealthy diet or sometimes they may simply arise due to genetic predisposition. Let’s see some of the most common causes of Type 1 Diabetes so that it will help you know what not to do if you want to avoid this sugar disease.

  • Autoimmune Disorder: When the immune system of our body mistakenly attacks and destroys the beta cells (only insulin producing cells in the body), then it leads to a decrease in insulin levels and effects the blood sugar levels in the body.
  • Lifestyle Factors: A sedentary lifestyle such as playing video games, lying down on couch and watching flicks for long hours are the main causes of Type 1 Diabetes.
  • Genetic Predisposition: However, it is true that Type 1 Diabetes does not occur with direct inheritance. But the individuals who have a family history of Type 1 Diabetes, especially a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) have a risk of developing this condition. The risk of type 1 diabetes is higher in case of both parents have this type of diabetes.
  • Bad Eating Habits: A poor diet plan and the process of eating after every 15-30 minutes come under the category bad eating habits. It is one of the major causes of Type 1 Diabetes.
  • Other Environmental Factors: There are a variety of bad viruses and other kinds of toxins available in your surroundings that can be a cause of Type 1 Diabetes. It also has various effects on different organs in the body. Thus, you must try to avoid being in unhealthy environments.

Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

The signs and symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes can seem like normal at first but if they recur or stay for a prolonged period of time, you must immediately visit your physician and follow his guidelines. There are various signs of Type 1 Diabetes that can be easily identified by you in order to diagnose it quickly and effectively. Some of the first signs of Type 1 Diabetes are as follows.

  • There might be increase in thirst at the beginning and thus frequent urination as a result of the same.
  • Increase in appetite or hunger is also said to be one of the Diabetes Type 1 symptoms which you must look out for.
  • Vision can get blurry at times.
  • Small kids or children can go through bedwetting or excessive amount of urination.

Type 1 Diabetes in Adults

Although Type 1 Diabetes is said to happen in children but adults can also diagnosed with this type of diabetes when they become older. Most of the adults think that they cannot get Type 1 Diabetes once they grow old but this is a long held myth. However, when there is an onset of Type 1 Diabetes in adults, their body keeps producing insulin at a lower rate and they may not need additional insulin to supplement their body.

Sometimes when you are getting diagnosed for diabetes, your family history can mislead your doctor. Although your family has a history of Type 2 Diabetes, you may still get Type 1 Diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes in Children

Most of the Type 1 Diabetes signs and symptoms will be found in children and young adults. Thus, it is also known as Juvenile Diabetes. If your child suffers from Type 1 Diabetes, then he or she will get it for the rest of his / her life and only good diabetes treatment is something you can ensure as a parent.

In most of the cases, your child will need daily insulin injections or other kinds of insulin pumps so that the blood sugar range stays as low as possible. In some cases, treatment without insulin is also possible if the body keeps producing a certain amount of insulin to get things going. If you don’t seek proper treatment, huge complications can rise in the future for your children.

Type 1 Diabetes in Pregnancy

Many kinds of pregnancy complications can rise if you are pregnant with Type 1 Diabetes. Once you get to know that you are pregnant, you must get your blood sugar levels checked and strive to maintain them during the tenure of pregnancy.

Even after the birth of your baby, breastfeeding is necessary. Hence, only having control over diabetes will lead you to be able to take care of your new born baby in the best possible way.

Prevention of Type 1 Diabetes

The best way to prevent diabetes is to have a good lifestyle and eating habits. If you strive to stay healthy, such complications may not arise. Even avoiding smoking and drinking can go a long way in keeping yourself in good health and preventing Type 1 Diabetes. Make sure that you get all kinds of vaccines on time as well as adhere to your exercise prescription.

Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes

Drugs and oral medications are used for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes but there are various natural cures for it as well.

  • You must get a diet chart and try to follow a healthy & balanced diet.
  • Many people also believe in cure through Yoga and if we check facts, it has been proven to lower blood sugar levels to a certain extent.

Although there are many home remedies for the treatment but since the risk factors are high, you must consult a doctor. However, if you wish to seek home remedies, below are a few things that you can try.

Home Remedies of Type 1 Diabetes
  • Honey as we all know has many medicinal properties and it can help in regeneration of cells which can help in treating Type 1 Diabetes.
  • Stevia leaves are another food item which you can consume as it has anti diabetic properties.
  • Eating Avocado can help in managing your blood sugar levels and thus provide relief from Type 1 Diabetes.