diabetes support site type 1 diabetes facts presentation
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Everything You Need To Know About Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes Facts
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What istype 1
diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is
all about insulin—a
lack of the hormone
insulin. If you have
type 1 diabetes,
then your body
doesn’t produce
enough insulin to
handle the glucose
in your body.
Glucose is a sugar
that your body uses
for instant energy,
but in order for your
body to use it
properly, you have
to have insulin.
What are the symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes
develops
gradually, but the
symptoms may
seem to come on
suddenly. It can
take years for the
body to deplete
its insulin, but as
soon as there’s
no more insulin in
the body, blood
glucose levels
rise quickly.
Symptoms can then rapidly develop, including:
Extreme weakness and/or tiredness
Extreme thirst—dehydration
Increased urination
Abdominal pain
Nausea and/or vomiting
Blurry vision
Wounds that don’t heal well
Irritability or quick mood changes
Changes to (or loss of) menstruation
What are the signs of type 1 diabetes?Signs are different from
symptoms in that they
can be measured
objectively; symptoms
are experienced and
reported by the patient.
Signs of type 1
diabetes include:
Weight loss—despite
eating more
Rapid heart rate
Reduced blood
pressure (falling below
90/60)
Low body temperature
(below 97º F)
What causes type 1 diabetes?It isn’t entirely clear
what triggers the
development of
type 1 diabetes.
Researchers do
know that genes
play a role; there is
an inherited
susceptibility.
However,
something must set
off the immune
system, causing it
to turn against itself
and leading to the
development of
type 1 diabetes.
What are the risk factors for type 1 diabetes?There are several riskfactors that may make itmore likely that you’ll
develop type 1 diabetes—if you have the geneticmarker that makes yoususceptible to diabetes.That genetic marker islocated on chromosome6, and it’s an HLA (human
leukocyte antigen)complex. Several HLAcomplexes have beenconnected to type 1
diabetes, and if you haveone or more of those, you
may develop type 1.(However, having the
necessary HLA complexis not a guarantee that
you will develop diabetes;in fact, less than 10% ofpeople with the “right”complex(es) actuallydevelop type 1.)
Other risk factors for type 1 diabetes include:
Viral infections
Race/ethnicity
Geography
Family history
Early diet (especially cow’s milk)
Other autoimmune condition.
Misconceptions about type 1 diabetes True Facts About Type 1
Diabetes
Myth:“You must have eaten
too much sugar to get type 1
diabetes.”
Fact: Not so.
Type 1 is like being hit by
lightning. It happens
sometimes, and it’s not
anybody’s fault. Unfortunately,
we don’t know exactly what
causes type 1 diabetes, and
researchers are still trying to
get a clear picture about
genetic and environmental
factors that may play roles,
including exposure to viruses
or bacteria that live in your gut.
One thing we do know, though,
is that it’s not brought on by
too much sugar.
Myth: You get type 1 diabetes from
making unhealthy lifestyle choices
.
Fact: People with type 1 diabetes
didn’t do anything wrong.
Doctors believe the cause of the
disease is a combination of genetics
and some external environmental
trigger (but not junk food or lack of
exercise). When one identical twin
contracts type 1 diabetes, there’s
only a oneinthree chance that the
other twin will also get it.
Myth: People with type 1 diabetes
can’t eat sugary foods.
Fact: No foods are offlimits to
people with type 1 diabetes,
including sweets and chocolate.
Just like anyone else, a person with
type 1 diabetes should follow a
healthy meal plan that incorporates
proteins, whole grains and lots of
fruits and vegetables. Desserts and
treats are allowed in moderation.
Myth: People with type 1 diabetes
can’t play strenuous sports.
Fact: Physical activity is an
important component of a healthy
lifestyle for everyone, including
children with type 1 diabetes.
Numerous worldclass athletes
and Olympians have type 1
diabetes.
Myth: Type 1 diabetes is a
children’s disease.
Fact: It hasn’t been called “juvenile
diabetes” for more than two
decades, because type 1 diabetes
can be diagnosed at any age, and
one doesn’t outgrow it. In fact,
more than half of people with type
1 diabetes are over 18.
Myth: Type 1 diabetes is
contagious.
Fact: Type 1 diabetes is not an
infectious disease. Although
doctors don’t know exactly why
people develop type 1 diabetes, it
cannot be “caught” from another
person like a cold or flu.
How is type 1 diabetes treated?Type 1 diabetes is treated
with a combination of insulin,
diet, and exercise.
It’s absolutely necessary for
people with type 1 diabetes to
take insulin because their
bodies don’t produce it. There
are several types of insulin,
and your diabetes treatment
team will work with you to
figure out the right dosages.
Plus, they’ll walk you through
all the details of insulin
delivery (giving insulin to your
body). .
Diet and exercise will help
you control the effects of type
1 diabetes. Eating a healthy,
carbconscious diet will make
it easier for you to control
your blood glucose level, and
researchers have shown that
tight blood glucose control
over the years significantly
limits the development of
longterm complications of
diabetes. .
Hyperglycemia can occur when
blood sugar levels are too high.
People develop hyperglycemia if
their diabetes is not treated
properly. Hypoglycemia sets in
when blood sugar levels are too
low. This is usually a side effect of
treatment with bloodsugar
lowering medication.
Diabetes is a metabolic disease
with farreaching health effects. In
type 1 diabetes, the body only
produces very little insulin, or none
at all. In type 2 diabetes, not
enough insulin is released into the
bloodstream, or the insulin cannot
be used properly.
We need insulin to live. Without it,
sugar (glucose) builds up in the
blood because it cannot be taken
out and used by the body. Very
high blood sugar, known as
hyperglycemia, leads to a number
of symptoms. If blood sugar levels
are too low, it is called
hypoglycemia.
Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia in Diabetes
When is blood sugar considered to be too high or too low?Slight fluctuations in blood
sugar levels are completely
normal and also happen on a
daily basis in people who do
not have diabetes. Between
around 72 and 125 milligrams
of sugar per deciliter of blood
(mg/dL) is considered to be
healthy. This is equivalent to
blood sugar concentrations
between 4.0 and 7.0 mmol/L.
“Millimole per liter” (mmol/L)
is the international unit for
measuring blood sugar. It
indicates the concentration of
a certain substance per liter.
If type 1 diabetes is left
untreated, people’s blood
sugar levels can get very
high, even exceeding 27.8
mmol/L (500 mg/dL). Blood
sugar concentrations below
4.0 mmol/L (72 mg/dL) are
considered to be too low.
Signs of Hyperglycemia
Signs of very high blood sugar levels in type 1 diabetes may include:
Extreme thirst, drinking a lot and then urinating frequently as a result
Unintentionally losing a lot of weight within a few weeks
Noticeable loss of energy with muscle weakness, tiredness and a strongly impaired generalcondition
Nausea and stomach pain
Trouble seeing
Poor concentration
Frequent infections (cystitis, thrush)
Confusion and drowsiness, or even coma
If you,a family member or a friend have these symptoms, you should contact a doctor assoon as possible.
How is hyperglycemia diagnosed?
There are different kinds of
blood tests that can diagnose
hyperglycemia. These include
Random blood glucose: this
test reflects the blood sugar
level at a given point in time.
Normal values are generally
between 72 and 125 mg/dL as
discussed earlier.
Fasting blood glucose: this is
a measurement of blood
sugar level taken in the early
morning prior to eating or
drinking anything since the
night before. Normal fasting
blood glucose levels are less
than 100 mg/dL. Levels above
100 mg/dL up to 125 mg/dL
suggest prediabetes, while
levels of 126 mg/dL or above
are diagnostic of diabetes.
Oral glucose tolerancetest: this is a test that
measures blood glucoselevels at given time pointsafter a dose of sugar isconsumed. This test ismost commonly used todiagnose gestational
diabetes.
Glycohemoglobin A1c: isa measurement of
glucose that is bound tored blood cells and
provides an indicationabout blood sugar levelsover the past 2 to 3
months.
How is hyperglycemia treated?Mild or transient
hyperglycemia may notneed medical treatment,depending upon the
cause. People with mildlyelevated glucose orprediabetes can often
lower their glucose levelsby incorporating diet andlifestyle changes. To
assure that you chose theright dietary and lifestylechanges , you shouldspeak with your healthcare professional.
Insulin is the treatment ofchoice for people with type1 diabetes and for lifethreatening increases in
glucose levels.
People with type 2diabetes may bemanaged with a
combination of differentoral and injectablemedications. Somepeople with type 2
diabetes also take insulin.
Hyperglycemia due tomedical conditions otherthan diabetes is generallytreated by addressing the
underlying conditionresponsible for theelevated glucose.
In some cases, insulinmay be needed to
stabilize glucose levelsduring this treatment.
What are the complications of hyperglycemia?Longterm
complications of
prolonged
hyperglycemia can be
severe.
These occur in people
with diabetes and are
worse when the
condition is poorly
controlled.
The longterm
complications of
diabetes tend to
develop slowly over
time. Some of the
complications of
hyperglycemia in
poorlycontrolled
diabetes are:
Heart and blood vessel
disease, that can
increase the risk of
heart attack, stroke,
and peripheral artery
disease
Poor kidney function
eventually leading to
kidney failure
Nerve damage, that can
lead to burning, tingling,
pain, and changes in
sensation
Eye diseases, including
damage to the retina,
glaucoma, and
cataracts
Gum disease
What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?Diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA)
is a lifethreatening
condition that
develops when
cells in the body are
unable to get the
sugar (glucose)
they need for
energy because
there is not enough
insulin.When the
sugar cannot get
into the cells, it
stays in the blood.
The kidneys filter some
of the sugar from the
blood and remove it
from the body through
urine.Because the cells
cannot receive sugar
for energy, the body
begins to break down
fat and muscle for
energy. When this
happens, ketones, or
fatty acids, are
produced and enter the
bloodstream, causing
the chemical
imbalance (metabolic
acidosis) called
diabetic ketoacidosis.
What causes DKA?Ketoacidosis can be
caused by not getting
enough insulin, having
a severe infection or
other illness, becoming
severely dehydrated,
or some combination of
these things. It can
occur in people who
have little or no insulin
in their bodies (mostly
people with type 1
diabetes but it can
happen with type 2
diabetes, especially
children) when their
blood sugar levels are
high
What are the symptoms of DKA?
Your blood sugar may be quite high before you notice
symptoms, which include:
Flushed, hot, dry skin.
Blurred vision.
Feeling thirsty and urinating a lot.
Drowsiness or difficulty waking up. Young children may lack
interest in their normal activities.
Rapid, deep breathing.
A strong, fruity breath odor.
Loss of appetite, belly pain, and vomiting.
Confusion.
How is DKA diagnosed?Laboratory tests,
including blood
and urine tests,
are used to
confirm a
diagnosis of
diabetic
ketoacidosis.
Tests for ketones
are available for
home use. Keep
some test strips
nearby in case
your blood sugar
level becomes
high.
How can I prevent DKA?When ketoacidosis is
severe, it must be
treated in the hospital,
often in an intensive
care unit. Treatment
involves giving insulin
and fluids through your
vein and closely
watching certain
chemicals in your
blood (electrolytes).
The doctors and
nurses will watch you
closely to be sure that
your brain does not
swell as the fluids treat
your dehydration.It can
take several days for
your blood sugar level
to return to a target
range.
The risk for DKA is
higher when you
are sick. Stress
hormones released
due to illness can
raise your blood
sugar. You may be
at risk for
dehydration if you
are vomiting. Or
you may not take
your diabetes
medicine when you
don’t feel like
eating.
To prevent DKA
when you are not
feeling well, try to
drink water, take
your diabetes
medicine, and eat a
little food. Test your
blood sugar often. If
you are taking
insulin, do a test for
ketones.You and
your doctor can
make your sick day
plan before you get
sick so you can
prevent a DKA
emergency or know
when to get help.
Signs of HypoglycemiaLow blood sugar is
most common in
people who use
insulin or take
certain tablets to
reduce high blood
sugar. This is
because things like
unplanned physical
activity, eating
meals later than
usual, or drinking
too much alcohol
can mean that you
need less insulin
than you thought,
causing your blood
sugar to drop very
low.
Signs that your blood sugar is too low may include:
Racing pulse
Cold sweat
Pale face
Headache
Feeling incredibly hungry
Shivering, feeling weak in the knees
Feeling restless, nervous or anxious
Difficulty concentrating, confusion
The signs of
hypoglycemia not only
depend on the blood
sugar level, but also
vary from person to
person. If you are not
sure whether your
blood sugar is too low,
you can measure it to
make sure. Mild
hypoglycemia does not
usually have any
harmful effects. But it is
important to react
quickly enough and eat
or drink something,
such as dextrose sugar
or sugary drink.
How is hypoglycemia diagnosed?
Hypoglycemia is
detected by measuring
blood sugar levels with
a glucose meter. Any
blood glucose level
below 4.0 mmol/L
indicates that the
individual has
hypoglycemia. Urine
tests do not detect
hypoglycemia.
If taking a blood test is
not possible or would
take too much time, it
may be better to treat
the hypo straight away.
How do I treat hypoglycemia?A mild case of
hypoglycemia can be
treated through eating
or drinking 1520g of
fast acting
carbohydrate such as
glucose tablets,
sweets, sugary fizzy
drinks or fruit juice.
Some people with
diabetes may also
need to take 1520g of
slower acting
carbohydrate if the
next meal is not due.
A blood test should be
taken after 1520
minutes to check
whether blood glucose
levels have recovered.
Severe
hypoglycemia may
require an
ambulance, for
example if loss of
consciousness
occurs or a seizure
persists for more
than 5 minutes.
Severe hypos can
be treated with
glucagon if a
glucagon injection
kit is available and
in date
Hypoglycemia UnawarenessA condition in which aperson with diabetes doesnot experience the usualearly warning symptomsof hypoglycemia (low
blood sugar).
Ordinarily, when aperson’s blood sugar leveldrops, the body tries toraise it by releasing thehormones glucagon andepinephrine. Glucagonspurs the liver to release
stored glucose.Epinephrine (or
adrenaline) signals theliver to produce moreglucose. It also causesthe typical early warningsigns of hypoglycemia,which include sweating,trembling, butterflies inthe stomach, tingling,numbness, and rapid
pulse.
There are several possible causes
of hypoglycemia unawareness. It
can be caused by nerve damage
that affects the body’s ability to
secrete epinephrine.
People with Type 1 diabetes
sometimes develop impaired
epinephrine secretion. It can also
be the result of very tight blood
sugar control, which can dull the
body’s ability to feel a drop in blood
sugar level.
Sometimes, maintaining slightly
higher blood sugar levels for a
period of time can improve the
ability to detect low blood
sugar.People with hypoglycemia
unawareness don’t experience
these symptoms. Instead, without
warning, they lapse into severe
hypoglycemia, becoming confused
or disoriented or falling
unconscious.
These individuals have lost the
epinephrine response to low blood
sugar, along with the symptoms
epinephrine normally brings on.
Hypoglycemia
unawareness can be
dangerous to both the
person experiencing it and
those around them.
Because he/she doesn’t
realize that his/her blood
sugar is low, someone
with this condition may not
know that he/she is not
thinking clearly or that
he/she shouldn’t drive or
operate dangerous
machinery.
If his/her hypoglycemia
goes untreated, he/she
can lose consciousness,
and his/her blood glucose
level will continue to fall.
Hypoglycemia Unawareness
Longstanding type 1
diabetes.
Reduced awareness of
hypoglycemia is common
among people who have long
standing insulindependent
diabetes. Many of those
who’ve had diagnosed
diabetes for 15 to 20 years
report having lost their ability
to perceive low blood
glucoses and to often failing
to treat and prevent severe
hypoglycemia.
Severe hypoglycemia is an
episode in which the person
with diabetes is unable to
treat him or herself and needs
the assistance of another
person. This includes
prompting by a relative or
friend to drink juice or eat.
Being an older
adult and having
type 2 diabetes.
There also have
been an
increasing
number of
hypoglycemia
unawareness
episodes in those
with type 2
diabetes; adults
older than 65
seem to be most
at risk.
Avoiding Hypoglycemia UnawarenessStrict avoidance of hypoglycemia
for several weeks to months can
restore at least partial awareness of
warning symptoms.
Strategies for avoiding
hypoglycemia when you have
hypoglycemia unawareness or
don’t experience the warning
symptoms include:
Aim for a higher blood glucose
target
Try to more accurately count
carbohydrates
Avoid overcorrection or stacking of
insulin doses
Test your blood glucose and adjust
your insulin dose more frequently
Consider blood glucose awareness
training education programs to help
you learn to identify new symptoms
and improve recognition
Consider a personal continuous
glucose monitor (CGM) that sounds
an alarm when your glucose gets
too low
Consider a service dog that can
recognize low blood glucose
Glucagon for Emergencies
Glucagon is the treatmentof choice if someone withdiabetes is unconsciousor unable to swallow. Thelength of time a person isunconscious, is more of aconcern than how low theblood glucose number is.
Ask your health careprovider for a prescriptionfor Glucagon or GlucaGenand for instructions on
how to use it. Instruct yourfamily members or friendson how to use this in anemergency and on how toaccess the emergency
response team.
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