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Type 1 diabetes means that the body no longer makes insulin. It is caused when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin.
Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas. It helps to move glucose into the cells. Once inside the cells, glucose is used for energy. Without insulin, glucose builds up in your blood. This can cause symptoms of high blood sugar and cause long-term problems.
The cause of type 1 diabetes is not clear, but genetics and triggers in the environment such as viruses and cold weather climates may increase risk. It is more common in whites than nonwhites. It occurs most often in young people but can occur at any age.
Symptoms can develop over hours or days. Common symptoms of high sugars include:
Frequent urination
Hunger
Thirst
Weakness
Weight loss
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Blood tests are needed to diagnose diabetes.
A1C test result of 6.5% or higher
Fasting blood glucose 126 mg/dL or higher
Symptoms of diabetes and blood glucose of 200 mg/dL or higher
Since your body must have insulin, you will need to take insulin every day. Learning about diabetes and how to treat it will help you stay healthy. Some of the things you will need to learn include:
How to check your blood sugars
How to give yourself insulin
How to eat healthy
How to balance insulin, meals, and activity to prevent low or high blood sugars
How to treat low blood sugars
How to manage diabetes when sick
The more you know, the better you can manage your diabetes.