Type 1 Diabetes Causes, Symptoms & Complications; All Details

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Overview

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the insulin-making beta cells in the pancreas. Without enough insulin, blood sugar rises. It is also called insulin-dependent diabetes or type 1 diabetes mellitus.

It was once called juvenile diabetes because it is most often diagnosed in children and young adults. However, type 1 diabetes can develop at any age.

Type 1 Diabetes

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 diabetes signs and symptoms often appear over a few days or weeks and may include:

Increased thirst (polydipsia)
Frequent urination (polyuria)
Bedwetting in children who were dry at night before
Extreme hunger (polyphagia)
Unintended weight loss
Irritability or other mood changes
Blurred vision
Fatigue and weakness
Frequent infections, such as skin or yeast infections

In adults, symptoms sometimes develop more slowly and can be mistaken for type 2 diabetes.

Over the years, poorly controlled blood sugar can lead to complications such as nerve damage, foot problems that can end in amputation, and kidney disease. These are complications, not early symptoms.

Type 1 diabetes cannot be cured, but daily insulin and good blood sugar management let people live long, active lives.

Symptoms that are critical:

Some symptoms can signal diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or very low blood sugar. Get emergency care for:

Shaking, sweating or confusion (possible low blood sugar)
Fast, deep breathing or trouble breathing
Pain in the belly, nausea or vomiting
Fruity-smelling breath
Loss of consciousness

Causes of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. Researchers believe genes and factors in the environment trigger the immune system to destroy beta cells. Known risk factors include:

A parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes
Certain genes
Having other autoimmune diseases
Age: it is most often diagnosed in childhood, the teen years or young adulthood

Diabetes caused by pancreatitis, pancreatic tumors or surgery to remove the pancreas is a separate type of diabetes, not autoimmune type 1.

Diabetes can lead to:

Without treatment, type 1 diabetes causes high blood sugar, which can lead to:

Dehydration
Diabetic ketoacidosis (the most dangerous short-term problem)
Weight loss
Damage to the eyes
Kidney disease
Heart attack and stroke

These long-term problems are caused by high blood sugar over many years. Diabetes medicines, including insulin, do not cause them; treatment helps prevent them.

Insulin itself can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) if the dose is too high for the food eaten or activity done. Your care team will teach you how to prevent and treat it.

Role of Insulin Hormone:

When beta cells are destroyed, the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that lowers blood sugar by helping glucose move into cells such as muscle and fat cells. It lets your body use the energy from the food you eat.

The pancreas’ beta cells release insulin into the bloodstream. As your blood sugar falls, the pancreas releases less insulin.

Without insulin, glucose stays in your bloodstream.

Role of glucose:

Glucagon, another pancreatic hormone, signals the liver to break down stored glycogen into glucose and release it into the blood. High blood glucose levels, on the other hand, stimulate the release of insulin. Insulin allows glucose to be taken up and used by tissues such as muscle and fat.

Glucose is the main source of energy for the body's cells. It comes from the food you eat and from your liver.

Your liver stores extra glucose as glycogen. When your glucose level is low, such as when you have not eaten, the liver breaks down glycogen into glucose to keep your levels in a normal range.

Type 1 diabetes complications:

Type 1 diabetes complications can affect major organs, including the blood vessels, heart, nerves, kidneys and eyes. Keeping blood sugar close to target can greatly reduce the risk of many serious complications.

1- Nerve Damage or neuropathy

Excess glucose can damage the tiny blood vessels that nourish the nerves. This can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain, usually starting in the feet.

2- Kidney Damage or nephropathy

High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste from your blood. Severe damage can lead to kidney failure.

3- Heart and blood vessels damaged

Diabetes raises the risk of heart and blood vessel problems, including chest pain (angina), heart attack, heart failure, stroke and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

4- Eye damage or Retinopathy

Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy), which can lead to blindness. It also raises the risk of cataracts and glaucoma.

5- Pregnancy Complications

High blood sugar during pregnancy can harm both the mother and the baby. Poorly controlled diabetes raises the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects and preeclampsia. Women with type 1 diabetes should plan pregnancy with their diabetes care team.

Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

According to the NIDDK, these results point to diabetes:

fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg/dL or above
random plasma glucose of 200 mg/dL or above, along with symptoms of diabetes
A1C of 6.5% or above

These tests do not tell type 1 from type 2. Doctors may order autoantibody tests to find out which type you have.

Treatment:

Type 1 diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be managed well with:

Insulin injections, insulin pens or an insulin pump
Regular blood glucose checks or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM)
Other medicines when needed, such as for blood pressure or cholesterol
Healthy eating and learning how carbohydrates affect your blood sugar
Regular physical activity

For some people at high risk, a medicine called teplizumab can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes symptoms. Pancreas or islet transplants help a few people make insulin again, but they require lifelong immune-suppressing medicines and are not a cure.

HP Thoughts: If you’re an adult and feel that you might have developed type 1 diabetes, read our article and see a doctor for testing: Type 1 Diabetes Causes in Adulthood.

Frequently asked questions:

1. What Is The Difference Between Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus has several types; the two main ones are type 1 Diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus. What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus? The major differences are:

Type 1 is most often diagnosed in children and young adults but can start at any age. Type 2 occurs most often in middle-aged and older adults, though children can get it too.
Type 1 is caused by an autoimmune attack that stops insulin production. In type 2, the body does not use insulin well and may not make enough.
Type 1 always needs insulin. Type 2 is treated with healthy eating, physical activity and weight management, and often with pills, injectable medicines or insulin.

2. What is type 1 diabetes and how do you get it?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the beta cells that make insulin. Genes and environmental factors likely play a role. It is not caused by eating sugar, and it is not contagious.

Without insulin, blood glucose stays high. Treatment uses insulin, given with a syringe, pen or pump, to keep blood glucose in a healthy range. Insulin does not come as a pill.

3. What are the first signs of Type 1 Diabetes?

Common first signs are increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, unexplained weight loss and tiredness. In children, they often develop over a few days or weeks.

Sometimes the first sign is diabetic ketoacidosis, with nausea, vomiting, belly pain and fast breathing. A blood test can confirm diabetes; a random plasma glucose of 200 mg/dL or above with symptoms suggests it.

4. Is Type 1 diabetes serious?

Yes. Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition, and without insulin it is life-threatening. With insulin and good blood sugar management, most people can prevent or delay complications.

Your care team will set your insulin doses and eating plan. Not smoking, staying active and managing blood pressure and cholesterol also lower your risk of heart disease.

5. How long does a person live with type 1 diabetes?

Life expectancy for people with type 1 diabetes has improved greatly with modern insulin, glucose monitoring and treatment of complications. On average it is still somewhat shorter than for people without diabetes.

Good blood sugar control, regular checkups and early treatment of complications all help people live longer, healthier lives.

6. Can a child with Type 1 Diabetes live a normal life?

Yes. With daily insulin, blood sugar monitoring and support from family, school and the care team, children with type 1 diabetes can go to school, play sports and do most things other children do.

Complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy usually take years to develop and can often be prevented or delayed with good blood sugar control. Regular eye, kidney and foot checks help catch problems early.