by Andrew Youngker

Created on: November 08, 2008   Last Updated: January 15, 2009

Type 1 diabetes is sometimes called juvenile diabetes. This is because most cases arise from the juvenile population. It is a genetic disorder that comes around in the early stages of life. Persons with this type of diabetes are typically slender which is opposite of the Type 2 diabetes which is commonly thought of as an obesity linked disorder. This type is unique in the fact that insulin is not being made by the body. Insulin is a compound made by the body to help bring sugar (glucose) from the blood into the cells to do work. Beta cells located within the pancreas have the job of producing insulin. Without insulin, glucose would not be able to be moved into the cells. Those that are not afflicted with diabetes, have our own balancing system that help regulate our sugar levels. Since insulin moves glucose into the cells, glucagon moves glucose back into the blood stream. Since diabetics lack the function of this system, they need other ways to maintain a balance.

This form of diabetes needs to be monitored and controlled as close as possible to keep sugar levels from going too high and too low. Having a steady state of glucose in the blood, just as normal people, is what we are looking for. There are numerous complications that can come from not keeping diabetes in balance. They are often very serious and can lead to very drastic results. Some of the complications that may manifest are kidney problems, nerve damage, damage to circulation, and slower healing. These are all something to look for but are no means a full list of every problem out there. Extreme cases may lead to blindness, amputation of limbs, and erectile dysfunction. Patients that keep close monitoring of their health status will have a less likely chance of developing any adverse effects.

If you know someone that is going through this problem, encourage them to be compliant with their treatment. Many choose to not check their blood levels and choose not to take their medicine as directed because it may make them feel like they are outsiders. Ensure them that they are just as normal as everyone else, but just need a little extra help. This can help them keep on their regimen and help them live longer as they may not develop the complications as above.

Some things to keep in mind when you are with someone with type 1 diabetes is to be comforting and ensure that they are fine just the way they are. Understanding how the disease works at the basic level is a good start to help someone in need. Those with diabetes can not have the same foods as the rest of us and that needs to be respected. There are certain things that are off limits to them, just as an allergy, and should not be made fun of because of it. This process is not due to obesity, rather they tend to be on the slim side actually, and is not because of poor choices. It a condition the person is born with and there is nothing that could have been done to prevent it.

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