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What is Type 1 Insulin Dependent Diabetes?
Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), also known as type 1 diabetes, usually starts before 15 years of age, but can occur in adults also.
According to statistics, in the United States of America alone, more than 1 million Americans including about 200,000 youth bellow 20 years old are type 1 diabetics. Every year, more than 40 thousand Americans are diagnosed to be type 1 diabetic.
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. Most likely it is an auto immune disorder. This is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. The tendency to develop autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, can be passed down through families.
Type 1 diabetes warning signs can occur suddenly. These includes:
- Extreme thirst
- Frequent urination
- Drowsiness or lethargy
- Increased appetite
- Sudden weight loss
- Sudden vision changes
- Sugar in the urine
- Fruity odor on the breath
- Heavy or labored breathing
- Stupor or unconsciousness
People who are diagnosed to be type 1 diabetics needs insulin injections to bring the needed glucose to the body cells. The challenge with this treatment is that it’s often not possible to know precisely how much insulin to take. The amount is based on many factors, including:
- Food
- Exercise
- Stress
- Emotions
- General Health
These factors changes every day. That is why, deciding on what dose of insulin to take is a complicated balancing act. Too much insulin intake will burn too much glucose that can lead to a condition called hypoglycemia or drop in blood sugar to a very dangerously low level. Also, if too little insulin is injected to the body, it will also lead to a condition called hyperglycemia or the rise of the blood sugar also to a dangerously high level. Both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia can increase the chance of long term complications.
Facts People With Type 1 Diabetes Needs to Know
- Type 1 Diabetes is an auto immune disease
- It is much less common than type 2 diabetes
- About 10 percent of all diabetes cases are type 1 diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes is not related to weight
- Type 1 diabetics needs to take insulin
- Type 1 diabetes is more common to children and young adults
- Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes has no cure. It is a lifetime condition
Types of Insulin for Type 1 Diabetes
If you are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, then, you will need to take insulin on a daily basis. Here are different types of insulin that you can take. Each of these types of insulin serves a different purpose and acts at a different speeds.
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Rapid-acting: This type of insulin takes effect within 15 minutes, and you take it right before a meal.
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Regular or Short-acting: Regular (also called short-acting) insulin takes effect within 30 minutes to an hour. It’s also taken before a meal, but its effect lasts longer than rapid-acting insulin.
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Intermediate-acting: This type of insulin lasts for 10-16 hours. It’s generally taken twice a day, and it’s used to imitate basal secretion.
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Long-acting: Similar to intermediate-acting insulin, long-acting insulin replicates the basal secretion. Long-acting insulin lasts for 20-24 hours, so you usually take it once a day.
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Pre-mixed: A pre-mixed insulin combines two other types of insulin—for example, a rapid-acting and an intermediate-acting insulin. This makes sure that you have insulin to cover the bolus and basal secretions.
