More than 1.6 million people in the United States alone suffer from type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is often more severe than type 2 diabetes, and it lasts for a person’s entire life. Even though this disease is an unfortunate thing to have, there are treatments that can allow these people to live fulfilling lives.
But what is type 1 diabetes exactly? How is it any different from type 2 diabetes? What can be done about this condition?
Consider this a manual for recognizing the signs of type 1 diabetes and knowing how to address this condition.
Overview of Type 1 Diabetes
The pancreas is responsible for producing a certain amount of insulin in the body. Insulin is important for allowing glucose, a type of sugar, to enter cells in the body. Glucose does this to produce energy for the body.
However, in a person with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas’s ability to produce insulin is compromised. This is due to the destruction of cells in the pancreas. This leaves the organ only able to produce very small amounts of insulin.
In some cases, the pancreas will not be able to produce any insulin at all. In the past, type 1 diabetes used to be a fatal condition, but today, there are treatments that allow people with this condition to survive well into adulthood.
What Causes Type 1 Diabetes?
Science has not yet discovered what exactly causes type 1 diabetes. Some believe that it is caused by genetic factors. There may be a gene somewhere in a person’s genome that makes them predisposed to develop this condition during childhood or adolescence.
Some people may even develop this condition long after they have entered adulthood, although this is rare. Besides genetic factors, some believe that type 1 diabetes may be caused by an infection or virus, especially in those that develop the condition later in life. This happens when the body’s immune system becomes confused and attacks the cells of the pancreas instead of the virus at hand.
Of course, this does not happen to everyone who ever catches a virus, so there is likely a mix of genetic and environmental factors that come into play.
Symptoms and Risk Factors
The most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include feeling very hungry or thirsty all the time. Even if you drink a large glass of water, you still may feel thirsty. A person with type 1 diabetes may also feel weak or fatigued quite often, even if they get plenty of sleep.
Some people may also urinate more often than usual, or they may lose weight unintentionally. The main risk factor of this condition is the buildup of glucose (sugar) in the blood. In particular, because the pancreas can’t make insulin, glucose cannot be released into the body’s cells. Therefore, glucose begins to accumulate outside of the cells and in the blood.
This problem will eventually become so severe that an untreated person may go into a coma and even die as a result. This is why it is important to treat this condition as soon as possible.
Testing for Type 1 Diabetes
How to diagnose type 1 diabetes is an important consideration. Once you get a diagnosis, you can start to seek out treatment for type 1 diabetes. The best way to test for this condition is with a glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test.
This test will reveal the person’s glucose levels along with how much sugar is attached to hemoglobin molecules. Usually, you will need to get two tests to make sure that the diagnosis is correct. If you score a 6.5% A1C level both times, this means that you have type 1 diabetes.
There are also other blood sugar tests you can try to diagnose this condition if an A1C test isn’t available. However, the A1C test is the best test to diagnose this condition.
Managing Diabetes
There are many ways to manage diabetes. For one, it is important to avoid foods that contain too much sugar. This goes beyond the obvious options, such as candy.
Carbohydrates are also considered sugar, and they are found in many foods such as bread, noodles, potatoes, rice, and certain vegetables. For that reason, you will need to be very careful about what you eat if you have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Eating too much sugar could bring about unpleasant symptoms.
When To See a Doctor
It is important to see a doctor soon after your diagnosis. Your doctor should be able to give you some advice on how you can better manage your diabetes. Your doctor should also give you some information on new treatments available for your condition.
If you have not been diagnosed yet, you should go to the doctor if you experience any of the type 1 diabetes symptoms mentioned above.
Treatments for Type 1 Diabetes
Taking insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes. Usually, you will need to inject insulin into your body. This will allow the insulin to start working immediately.
Usually, the insulin should last around 6 hours. At that point, you will need to take another dose. There are, however, some types of insulin that can last as long as 40 hours.
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Lifestyle Changes to Manage Type 1 Diabetes
As mentioned before, avoiding foods with too much sugar is an important lifestyle change to make if you have type 1 diabetes. It is also important to monitor your blood sugar every day. You can do this with special devices that test your blood sugar.
Losing weight has the potential to mitigate the symptoms and negative effects of type 1 diabetes. While obesity does not cause type 1 diabetes, it can increase the risk of serious complications that may occur as a result.
Type 1 Diabetes and Testosterone Pellet Therapy
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Dr. Terri DeNeui and the experts at EVEXIAS Health Solutions developed the EvexiPEL method to ensure that her method of pellet therapy not only supported hormone balance but also improved patient comfort, convenience, and results. Backed by decades of research, EvexiPEL pellet therapy was designed to reduce inflammation, improve comfort, and provide steady and consistent dosing for the entire treatment cycle.
If you are looking for a way to help reduce uncomfortable symptoms and health risks associated with type 1 diabetes, join the tens of thousands of patients who are benefitting from EvexiPEL pellet therapy. Reach out to one of the highly qualified EvexiPEL practitioners near you today!