Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, which results in high blood glucose levels. High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, can lead to a range of symptoms and complications that can be severe in people with this condition.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle that can lead to insulin resistance, type 1 diabetes typically is diagnosed in children and young adults. But it can develop in people of any age, and it requires daily management with insulin therapy and blood sugar monitoring.
Glucose is the main source of energy for the cells in your body, but cells can’t use it without the hormone insulin. In type 1 diabetes, a person’s immune system wrongly attacks its insulin-producing cells (called beta cells), leading to insufficient insulin.
Without insulin, your cells don’t have their main energy source, so your body will feel depleted and will try to get its energy from somewhere else. Type 1 diabetes symptoms usually develop within a few weeks or months, and they can be quite severe. The typical type 1 diabetes symptoms are:
You don’t need to have all these symptoms to have type 1 diabetes, and some people don't develop any symptoms at all. The best way to know for sure if you have the disease is to get a blood glucose test from your healthcare provider.
If left untreated, type 1 diabetes can have both short- and long-term, serious complications.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious medical problem that happens when the body lacks insulin to process blood sugar for energy. When your body can’t use its glucose, it breaks down fat instead. The by-products of this process are called ketones. When too many ketones quickly build up in the bloodstream, your blood becomes dangerously acidic.
DKA is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away. Without prompt care, people with type 1 diabetes may go into a coma or even die. Signs and symptoms of DKA include:
A fruity smell on the breath
Dry or flushed skin
Nausea and stomach pain
Rapid breathing
Decreased alertness
Dehydration
Muscle stiffness
The symptoms of DKA may be the first ones that a person with type 1 diabetes will experience before they are diagnosed.
Long-Term Complications of Type 1 Diabetes
Untreated diabetes can cause a host of complications, but they can be avoided with proper care and treatment. Overly high blood glucose levels over an extended period of time can lead to:
Eye damage that may result in poor vision or blindness
Lower-limb amputations due to skin ulcers that won’t heal
Early detection of type 1 diabetes is essential for preventing complications. If you have a family history of the disease or if you or your child develops any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, see a healthcare professional right away for a blood test to check for blood sugar levels and antibodies associated with type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder often diagnosed in children or young adults. It causes the body to stop making enough insulin to keep blood sugar at healthy levels.
This health condition can cause symptoms such as constant hunger and thirst, fatigue, and sudden changes in vision. These problems can come on quickly and become severe.
Complications from type 1 diabetes can be life-threatening. But with proper care, they may be delayed or avoided.
