This topic has general information about type 1 diabetes for people who do not have the disease. If you want to learn how to manage type 1 diabetes, one of the following topics may meet your needs:
If you are looking for information about type 2 diabetes, see the topic Type 2 Diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is a disease that starts when the pancreas stops making insulin. Insulin lets blood sugar—also called glucose—enter the body's cells to be used for energy. Without insulin, the cells can't get the sugar they need, and too much sugar builds up in the blood.
Diabetes can cause sudden or long-term problems. If the body doesn't have enough insulin and the blood sugar gets very high, a sudden and very serious problem called diabetic ketoacidosis can happen. This can be deadly. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys.
Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but it usually starts in children or young adults. That’s why it used to be called juvenile diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is different from type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of the illness. In type 1, the body stops making insulin. In type 2, the body does not make enough insulin, or the body can't use insulin the right way. All people with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin. Some people with type 2 diabetes also need insulin, but most people can use diet, exercise, and medicine in pills to treat that illness.
There isn't a cure for type 1 diabetes. But with treatment, people can live long and healthy lives.
The body makes insulin in beta cells, which are in a part of the pancreas called the islet (say "EYE-let") tissue. Type 1 diabetes starts because the body destroys the beta cells. Experts don't know why this happens.
Some people have a greater chance of getting type 1 diabetes, because they have a parent, brother, or sister who has it. But most people with the illness don't have a family history of it.
Other things that increase the risk of getting type 1 diabetes are being white and having islet cell antibodies in the blood.
Symptoms of diabetes are:
These symptoms usually appear over a few days to weeks. Sometimes people notice symptoms after an illness, such as the flu. They may think that the diabetes symptoms are because of the flu, so they don't seek medical care soon enough.
If a person waits too long to get medical care, he or she may get symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis. Symptoms of this problem include:
A doctor asks questions about the person’s health and does a physical exam. A blood test measures the person’s glucose.
Some people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes because they have symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Treatment for type 1 diabetes focuses on keeping blood sugar levels within a target range. A person with type 1 diabetes needs to:
When a small child has diabetes, the parents have the responsibility for blood sugar control. As the child grows, he or she can take over more of the diabetes care.
Treatment may change based on the results of daily home blood sugar tests and other tests or exams.
There is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes. But studies are being done to find ways to prevent or delay diabetes in people who are most likely to get it.
Tight control of blood sugar and blood pressure can help people with type 1 diabetes prevent or delay problems with their eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, and nerves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about type 1 diabetes: | |
Being diagnosed: | |
Getting treatment: | |
Ongoing concerns: | |
Living with type 1 diabetes: |
Type 1 diabetes develops because the body's immune system destroys the beta cells which are in the islet tissue in the pancreas. These beta cells produce insulin. So people with type 1 diabetes cannot make their own insulin.
You can inherit a tendency to develop type 1 diabetes, but most people who have the disease have no family history of it. Diabetes experts believe that a genetic tendency and some environmental factors may increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Possible environmental factors include enteroviral infections—especially Coxsackie B infections.
Despite concerns about vaccines (particularly those against whooping cough and Haemophilus influenza type b, or Hib), studies have not found a relationship between being vaccinated and developing type 1 diabetes.1
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop quickly, over a few days to weeks, and are caused by blood sugar levels rising above the normal range (hyperglycemia). Early symptoms may be overlooked, especially if the person has recently had an illness, such as influenza (flu). Early symptoms include:
Sometimes the blood sugar level rises excessively before a person knows something is wrong. Because insulin is not available, the cells in the body are unable to get the sugar (glucose) they need for energy. The body begins to break down fat and muscle for energy. When fat is used for energy, ketones—or fatty acids—are produced and enter the bloodstream, causing the chemical imbalance diabetic ketoacidosis. This is a life-threatening condition. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis are:
Type 1 diabetes develops because the body destroys the beta cells in the islet tissue of the pancreas that produce insulin. The rate at which the beta cells are destroyed varies. Infants and children usually develop the disease suddenly because the beta cells are destroyed rapidly. Adults tend to develop the disease slowly because the beta cells are destroyed gradually.
Sometimes people notice diabetes symptoms after an illness, such as the flu. If they do not seek medical care quickly, the lack of insulin can cause the blood sugar level to rise much higher than normal. The body then uses fat and muscle for energy, which causes the release of ketones, or fatty acids. Ketones can lead to a chemical imbalance called diabetic ketoacidosis. It is a medical emergency. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include confusion; strong, fruity breath; and drowsiness, or even coma.
Sometimes after receiving initial treatment for type 1 diabetes, people have a period of time—from a few weeks to a few months—when the pancreas is again able to produce insulin. This is often called the "honeymoon period." At this time, a person may need to take little or no insulin, depending on how much insulin the pancreas produces. When the honeymoon period is over, the person needs to take insulin for the rest of his or her life.
Every person who has type 1 diabetes requires treatment designed for his or her needs. Treatment involves:
People with type 1 diabetes often have blood sugar levels outside of their target range. These out-of-range levels happen because injections of insulin cannot control blood sugar as smoothly as natural insulin made by your body. Blood sugar below a normal range (hypoglycemia) can develop quickly and lead to an emergency in only a few minutes. On the other hand, high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) usually develop slowly over hours or days. If blood sugar levels continue to rise, diabetic ketoacidosis can develop.
Over time, diabetes can damage the body's tissues. Persistent high blood sugar can damage the eyes (diabetic retinopathy), kidneys (diabetic nephropathy), nerves (diabetic neuropathy), and heart (leading to heart attacks). It also can damage blood vessels, leading to strokes and blockage of other arteries, especially in the legs. People who keep their blood sugar levels within a target range often can prevent—or at least delay—these complications. But some people still develop complications even with good blood sugar control.
People who work closely with their doctors and follow their prescribed treatment usually feel better and more in control of their lives.
Women who want to plan a pregnancy need to talk to their doctors about making sure they have good control of their blood sugar. Blood sugar levels that are higher than the target range during the first trimester of pregnancy raise the risk of birth defects. Good care of diabetes before conception appears to reduce the risk of birth defects.
Women with diabetes who do not want to be become pregnant should use birth control. This reduces the risk of birth defects in unplanned pregnancies.
More Information: |
Risk factors for type 1 diabetes include:
More Information: |
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you are:
Call a doctor right away if:
Call a doctor if you:
The following health professionals can diagnose and treat diabetes:
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
Some people—especially children, teenagers, and young adults—are not diagnosed with type 1 diabetes until they are admitted to a hospital for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This life-threatening condition occurs when ketones, or fatty acids, are produced as the body burns fat and muscle instead of glucose for fuel. DKA develops in people who have type 1 diabetes (and some people who have type 2 diabetes) when their blood sugar is very high.
During hospitalization, people with DKA are watched closely and receive tests to measure the levels of electrolytes and sugar (glucose) in their blood.
If a person is not in ketoacidosis, the American Diabetes Association's criteria for symptoms, a medical history, a physical exam, and blood tests are used to diagnose type 1 diabetes.
These blood tests include:
You may need a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test when type 1 diabetes is diagnosed and then every 1 to 2 years. This test checks for thyroid problems, which are common among people with diabetes.
Neither a home blood sugar test nor a urine test for sugar is recommended to screen for or diagnose diabetes.
Screening for type 1 diabetes is not recommended by the American Diabetes Association. Such screening would include testing everyone for islet cell antibodies. This test can show if a person is more likely to get type 1 diabetes.
People who are found to have islet cell antibodies may be able to participate in studies about preventing type 1 diabetes. These people need to be referred to a medical center conducting a type 1 diabetes prevention study.3
Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong treatment to keep blood sugar levels within a target range. Treatment includes:
A regular daily schedule makes managing blood sugar levels easier. Blood sugars are easier to predict and control when mealtimes, amounts of food, and exercise are similar every day.
Some people—especially children, teenagers, and young adults—find out that they have type 1 diabetes when they are admitted to a hospital for diabetic ketoacidosis. If their symptoms are severe, they may need to be treated in an intensive care unit. Treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis includes fluids given through a vein (intravenous, or IV) to treat dehydration and to balance electrolytes, and insulin to lower the blood sugar level and stop the body from producing ketones.4
Treatment for children includes all of the above measures to keep blood sugar levels within the child's target range. Treatment for children should also allow for normal growth and development. See the topics Type 1 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed and Type 1 Diabetes: Children Living With the Disease.
When a small child has diabetes, the parents have the responsibility for blood sugar control. As the child grows, he or she can take more responsibility for diabetes care.
Currently there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes, but ongoing studies are exploring ways to prevent diabetes in those who are most likely to develop it. People who have a parent, brother, or sister with type 1 diabetes and are willing to participate in one of these studies should talk with their doctors. They may want to be tested for islet cell antibodies, because if they have these antibodies, they are more likely to get diabetes.
Vaccines have not been found to contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes.1 Children who are at risk for developing diabetes still need to get the recommended immunizations. See the childhood immunization schedule recommended by the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
People with type 1 diabetes can help prevent or delay the development of complications by keeping their blood sugar in a target range. They also need regular medical checkups to detect early signs of complications. If complications are treated early, the damage may be stopped, slowed, or possibly reversed.
People who have other health problems along with diabetes, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, need to treat those conditions. Also, not smoking can reduce the risk of complications. Having other health problems can increase the risk for complications from diabetes.
People who have diabetes should have a flu shot every year and a pneumococcal vaccine. Usually, people need only one dose of the pneumococcal vaccine. But doctors sometimes recommend a second dose for some people, especially if they have a long-term disease. Talk with your doctor about whether you need a second dose. The pneumococcal vaccine helps prevent infections caused by pneumococcal bacteria. People with diabetes, especially those who have heart or kidney disease, are at high risk for complications, hospitalization, and death from flu and pneumococcal disease.5
People who have type 1 diabetes need to work closely with their doctors to find the right balance of diet, insulin, and exercise to keep their blood sugar levels within a target range. That combination will vary over time, especially for children.
Daily treatment for diabetes includes:
People with type 1 diabetes also need to:
A person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day because his or her pancreas does not produce it. Insulin helps blood sugar (glucose) enter the body's cells to be used for energy. Insulin can be given as an injection into the fatty tissue under the skin or through an insulin pump.
Usually people with type 1 diabetes take a combination of types of insulin, such as a long-acting insulin once or twice a day and a rapid-acting insulin before each meal. The amount and type of insulin needed varies for each person. Also, the amount and type of insulin needed changes over time, depending on age, hormones (such as during rapid growth or pregnancy), and changes in exercise routine. Also, a person may need higher doses of insulin during times of illness or emotional stress.
Other medicines may be needed if a person develops complications from diabetes, such as kidney disease.
A person also may need medicines to treat high blood pressure or high cholesterol and help prevent complications from diabetes. Talk to your doctor about whether you should take low-dose aspirin. Daily low-dose aspirin (81 milligrams) may help prevent heart problems if you are at risk for heart attack or stroke.
Surgery for type 1 diabetes is done only in special situations.
These surgeries are very expensive. After having one of these surgeries, a person must take medicine for the rest of his or her life to prevent the body from rejecting the new tissue (immunosuppression medicines).
People who have type 1 diabetes need to avoid products that promise a “cure.” No cure exists. They also need to avoid products for diabetes that are advertised by testimonials without a sound medical basis. These products or remedies may be harmful and costly. They also might cause people to delay or avoid getting other forms of treatment that have been proved to work.
| American Diabetes Association (ADA) | |
| 1701 North Beauregard Street | |
| Alexandria, VA 22311 | |
| Phone: | 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) |
| Email: | AskADA@diabetes.org |
| Web Address: | www.diabetes.org |
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a national organization for health professionals and consumers. Almost every state has a local office. ADA sets the standards for the care of people with diabetes. Its focus is on research for the prevention and treatment of all types of diabetes. ADA provides patient and professional education mainly through its publications, which include the monthly magazine Diabetes Forecast, books, brochures, cookbooks and meal planning guides, and pamphlets. ADA also provides information for parents about caring for a child with diabetes. | |
| Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International | |
| 120 Wall Street | |
| New York, NY 10005-4001 | |
| Phone: | 1-800-533-CURE (1-800-533-2873) |
| Fax: | (212) 785-9595 |
| Email: | info@jdrf.org |
| Web Address: | www.jdrf.org |
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International is dedicated to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications. The organization funds research on type 1 diabetes, including research on prevention and treatment. This organization publishes a wide variety of booklets, magazines, and e-newsletters on complications and treatments of type 1 diabetes. | |
| Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International | |
| 120 Wall Street | |
| New York, NY 10005-4001 | |
| Phone: | 1-800-533-CURE (1-800-533-2873) |
| Fax: | (212) 785-9595 |
| Email: | info@jdrf.org |
| Web Address: | www.jdrf.org |
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International is dedicated to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications. The organization funds research on type 1 diabetes, including research on prevention and treatment. This organization publishes a wide variety of booklets, magazines, and e-newsletters on complications and treatments of type 1 diabetes. | |
| National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) | |
| 1 Diabetes Way | |
| Bethesda, MD 20814-9692 | |
| Phone: | 1-800-438-5383 to order materials (301) 496-3583 |
| Email: | ndep@mail.nih.gov |
| Web Address: | http://ndep.nih.gov |
The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) is sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program's goal is to improve the treatment of people who have diabetes, to promote early diagnosis, and to prevent the development of diabetes. Information about the program can be found on two Web sites: one managed by NIH (http://ndep.nih.gov) and the other by CDC (www.cdc.gov/team-ndep). | |
| National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) | |
| 1 Information Way | |
| Bethesda, MD 20892-3560 | |
| Phone: | 1-800-860-8747 |
| Fax: | (703) 738-4929 |
| TDD: | 1-866-569-1162 toll-free |
| Email: | ndic@info.niddk.nih.gov |
| Web Address: | http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov |
This clearinghouse provides information about research and clinical trials supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. This service is provided by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). | |
Citations
- Hviid A, et al. (2004). Childhood vaccination and type 1 diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine, 350(14): 1398–1404.
- Masharani U, German MS (2007). Pancreatic hormones and diabetes mellitus. In DG Gardner et al., eds., Greenspan's Basic and Clinical Endocrinology, 8th ed., pp. 661–747. New York: McGraw-Hill.
- American Diabetes Association (2004). Prevention of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Clinical Practice Recommendations 2004. Diabetes Care, 27(Suppl 1): S133.
- American Diabetes Association (2004). Hyperglycemic crises in diabetes. Clinical Practice Recommendations 2004. Diabetes Care, 27(Suppl 1): S94–S102.
- American Diabetes Association (2004). Influenza and pneumococcal immunization in diabetes. Clinical Practice Recommendations 2004. Diabetes Care, 27(Suppl 1): S111–S113.
Other Works Consulted
- American Diabetes Association (2004). Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. Position Statement 2004. Diabetes Care, 27(Suppl 1): S110.
- American Diabetes Association (2006). Pancreas and islet transplantation in type 1 diabetes. Position statement. Diabetes Care, 29(4): 935.
- American Diabetes Association (2011). Standards of medical care in diabetes – 2011. Diabetes Care, 34(Suppl 1): S11–S61.
- Eisenbarth GS, et al. (2008). Type 1 diabetes mellitus. In PR Larsen et al., eds., Williams Textbook of Endocrinology, 11th ed., pp. 1391–1416. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
- Genuth S (2008). Type 1 diabetes mellitus. In DC Dale, DD Federman, eds., ACP Medicine, section 9, chap. 1. New York: WebMD.
- Nix S (2009). Diabetes mellitus. In William’s Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy, 13th ed., pp. 383–410. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology |
| Last Revised | September 14, 2010 |
Next Section:
CausePrevious Section:
Topic OverviewNext Section:
SymptomsPrevious Section:
CauseNext Section:
What HappensPrevious Section:
SymptomsNext Section:
What Increases Your RiskPrevious Section:
What HappensNext Section:
When To Call a DoctorPrevious Section:
What Increases Your RiskNext Section:
Exams and TestsPrevious Section:
When To Call a DoctorNext Section:
Treatment OverviewPrevious Section:
Exams and TestsNext Section:
PreventionPrevious Section:
Treatment OverviewNext Section:
Home TreatmentPrevious Section:
PreventionNext Section:
MedicationsPrevious Section:
Home TreatmentNext Section:
SurgeryPrevious Section:
MedicationsNext Section:
Other TreatmentPrevious Section:
SurgeryNext Section:
Other Places To Get HelpPrevious Section:
Other TreatmentNext Section:
Related InformationPrevious Section:
Other Places To Get HelpNext Section:
ReferencesPrevious Section:
Related InformationNext Section:
CreditsPrevious Section:
ReferencesLast Revised: September 14, 2010
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: John Pope, MD - Pediatrics & David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the Magnet designation, the highest award for nursing excellence given by the American Nurses Association.
