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Once known as juvenile diabetes, type I diabetes,also known as insulin-dependent diabetes is most often found in children and young adults. It is a very serious condition in which the body no longer produces insulin which is needed to take sugar from the blood to the cells. Hence, the name insulin-dependent. Insulin must be taken because the pancreas no longer produces this valued substance.

Type I diabetes occurs most often in children and young adults but can occur at any age. Some of the symptoms of diabetes may include but are not limited to the following. If you experience the following symptoms you should seek medical advice:

Being very thirsty,

Urinating often

Dry, itchy skin

blurred vision

feeling very hungry or tired

losing weight without trying

sores that heal slowly

no feeling in your feet or a tingling in the feet.

If you go to your health care provider with the symptoms above they will no doubt give you a blood test to check your sugar level. Often they will do what is called a fasting blood test where you eat nothing for so long and they start checking your sugar level after different times of eating something sweet.

Individuals diagnosed with type I diabetes are more susceptible to many other problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, gum disease,and kidney failure. A major concern with diabetes Type I is t that if left untreated it could cause a person to go into diabetic coma. It could also result in death. With type I diabetes blood does not flow through the legs and feet as well as it should. If left untreated this could result in amputation. Diabetes can be controlled through diet and exercise and taking insulin as prescribed by your doctor.

As well as following your doctors orders on diet, exercise, and medications there are other thing to do. You should avoid smoking and you should work to keep your cholesterol at healthy levels. Watching what you eat is key as well.

Individuals with Type I diabetes should eat foods that are low in fat, low in salt, and low in added sugars. If diagnosed with type I diabetes you should eat foods which are loaded with complex carbohydrates such as cereals, pastas and even whole grain breads. Fruits and vegetables are essential to a diet especially if you have diabetes. Diabetes patients need to watch their weight as well. Leading a healthy life and following the guidelines defined by you and your physician are key for diabetes patients.

Learn more about this author, Stanley Roberts.
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