Type 1 Diabetes
Much of what we eat is converted to glucose (sugar), which is carried to the body’s cells through the bloodstream. Glucose is used for energy, which enables all of the body’s systems to function properly. Insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas, is needed to open the cells to allow glucose to enter.
Diabetes is a condition in which the body produces little or no insulin, or does not properly use the insulin. Diabetes significantly impacts blood vessel function, which affects the eyes, heart, kidneys and nerves. The two prominent forms of diabetes are type 1 and type 2.
Types 1 Diabetes
Type 1, or insulin dependent diabetes, is a condition in which the body’s immune system destroys the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. With too little or no insulin, the body’s blood sugar level rises above normal.
This form usually presents with symptoms that emerge quickly like thirst, frequent urination and weight loss. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily.
American Diabetes Association: Type 1 Diabetes
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