By type 1 diabetes, doctors mean an autoimmune systemic disease, which is characterized by a complete lack of insulin. Despite the fact that this condition is detected in approximately 8-10% of patients diagnosed with diabetes, it is this type that is considered the most severe, as it creates the highest possible risk for a person, especially if it is not detected in a timely manner.
Features of the disease
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder characterized by inadequate production of the hormone insulin by the pancreas. As a result, the person has high blood sugar levels and related symptoms.
The disease is considered incurable, therefore, in the presence of diabetes, patients have to take medications throughout their lives to help normalize sugar levels and control their condition. In some cases, even type 1 diabetes can be disabled, so it is important to pay attention to the existing problem.
Reasonsoccurrence
This disease is relatively rare, can occur even in young children, and is rarely revealed in adulthood. It is impossible to cure the disease completely, however, the main task of the therapy is to compensate for the lack of insulin with medications. To ensure long-term sustainable dynamics, it is necessary to initially determine the causes of type 1 diabetes. This illness can be provoked by:
- hereditary predisposition;
- drug toxicity;
- high activity of dangerous viruses;
- following a strict diet;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- malnutrition;
- significant physical activity;
- constant stress;
- autoimmune diseases.
It is worth noting that these are only the main prerequisites for the onset of the disease. Despite the fact that the history of type 1 diabetes goes back almost 100 years, the exact cause of its occurrence has not been identified.
Main symptoms
Insufficient production of insulin by endocrine cells can provoke the characteristic signs of type 1 diabetes. Among the main symptoms to highlight:
- dry mouth and thirst;
- frequent urination;
- excessive sweating;
- general weakness of the body;
- frequent depression, high degree of irritability.
Women have frequent vaginal fungal infections thatvery difficult to treat. In addition, there may be a change in vision. In the absence of competent timely treatment and maintenance of glucose levels in the patient's body, signs of diabetic ketoacidosis may occur, in particular, such as:
- severe nausea and vomiting;
- smell of acetone;
- dehydration;
- heavy breathing;
- confusion and intermittent loss of consciousness.
To achieve a good result of therapy, it is imperative to conduct a timely comprehensive diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, as well as constantly take special drugs, inject insulin and follow a diet.
Differences 1 and 2 types
Before prescribing treatment, it is necessary to determine the differences in this disease by type. This information is presented in the form of a table. Type 1 diabetes is very different from type 2 diabetes.
| Parameters | 1 type of disease | 2 type of disease |
| Age of disease onset | Children and teenagers | Elderly people |
| Reasons | Cell destruction | Wrong lifestyle |
| Symptomatics | Expressed | Slightly oiled |
| Patient weight | Often within normal limits | Elevated, may be obese |
| Own insulin | Not produced | Within normal or elevated |
| Blood antigens | Available | Not available |
| Insulin Stimulation | Often useless | Effective at the beginning of the course of the disease |
Characteristics and differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes help to make the correct diagnosis and determine the form of the disease.
Diagnostics
Modern medicine offers several fairly effective methods for diagnosing and determining the presence of type 1 diabetes. They are based on the analysis of indicators of carbohydrate metabolism in the blood.
Be sure to take a blood test to determine fasting sugar levels. 12 hours before, you should stop eating food, alcohol, reduce physical activity, do not take medications, and avoid stress. The reliability of the results changes in patients after surgery, as well as if there are any problems with the intestines and stomach, during menstruation, in the presence of inflammation.
A supplement to the blood test can be a stress test. After passing the classical analysis, the patient should take orally 75 g of a glucose solution. Within 2 hours, blood is taken for sugar. The upper limit of glucose concentration is an indicator of thistest.
The most accurate result can be obtained with a glycated hemoglobin test. It practically does not depend on the influence of external factors.
In addition, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive diagnosis to exclude the occurrence of diseases and conditions that provoke hyperglycemia. In addition, it will determine the form of diabetes. After that, the doctor selects the appropriate treatment that will help normalize the patient's well-being.
Features of treatment
After confirming the diagnosis, a comprehensive treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus is carried out, developed according to an individual program for each patient. The main scheme of therapy involves the use of drugs that reduce the amount of glucose. They are prescribed to the patient for life. The dosage of the drug is selected strictly individually, depending on the characteristics of the patient's body, the course of the disease, the parallel use of other drugs, as well as the presence of complications.
In addition, the patient is shown the use of vitamins, as well as other medicines that help normalize well-being and increase immunity. A good effect is given by folk remedies and methods that are desirable to be used in combination with drug therapy. In addition, it is important to follow a special diet for type 1 diabetes, the menu of which is developed by an endocrinologist together with a nutritionist. When conducting complex therapy, you can achieve a good result, reduce the existing symptoms, and also increaseduration and quality of life.
Drug therapy
Type 1 diabetes is common in children. Throughout their lives, they are forced to take special drugs to normalize their well-being. If insulin production is not possible, the only way to achieve a decrease in glucose levels is to administer insulin preparations. The more it is taken, the better the patient will feel.
Supplementary medications are also required to help reverse insulin resistance and prevent complications associated with high insulin dosages.
In the presence of hypertension, additional ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers are prescribed, in particular, such as Betaxolol, Nebivolol, Enalapril. Treatment with these drugs is prescribed with an increase in pressure to prevent the development of nephropathy in a patient.
Vascular changes are monitored by measuring blood density. If there is a need to liquefy it, then antiplatelet agents are prescribed, the most common of which is Aspirin. If the cholesterol level is significantly higher than normal, then the use of statins, which inhibit the production of this substance, is indicated.
Obesity significantly increases the risk of insulin resistance. This condition is characterized by the fact that the cells cannot fully receive glucose. Treatment is through the use of Metamorphine.
In addition, additionally asan auxiliary agent, special vitamin complexes can be prescribed that will help normalize the patient's well-being. In particular, vitamins with antioxidant properties are required. It is recommended to use formulations such as Verwag Pharma, Doppelgerz Active, Alfavit Diabetes.
Taking insulin
In order to most closely mimic insulin production, type 1 diabetics use drugs of varying duration of action. Such compounds are substitutes for the basal secretion present in the body throughout the day. Short insulin is an imitation of the response of the pancreas to the intake of carbohydrates. Usually, 2 long-acting drugs and at least 3 short-acting drugs are prescribed per day.
Dosage may vary depending on the influence of external factors. Children during the period of active growth require more insulin, then its amount gradually decreases. It is also necessary to adjust the dose during pregnancy, as the need for this substance varies significantly at different times.
Intensive insulin therapy is calculated by the amount of food eaten, physical activity. It also depends largely on the amount of glucose. It is now used all over the world and is considered the best way to protect yourself from high blood sugar and complications.
Application of folk methods
If the destruction of pancreatic cells progresses, some patients additionally use alternative methods of treatment,which help to alleviate the symptoms and achieve better results of therapy. It is worth remembering that you can not independently apply folk methods without consulting a doctor or replace insulin with these drugs, as very serious complications that threaten life can develop.
To stimulate the work of internal organs, you can take acorn powder in the amount of 1 tsp. before every meal. To correct the amount of glucose, 50 ml of lemon concentrate combined with a chicken egg is prescribed.
Following a special diet
In order for the treatment to be more effective, type 1 diabetes requires an additional special diet. It is prescribed by the attending physician, depending on the individual characteristics of the patients. It is very important to accurately calculate the amount of carbohydrates entering the body with each meal. To do this, all products are weighed, the amount of substances that they contain is determined according to the table of nutritional value of products. Then you need to translate all this into XE, that is, bread units. In type 1 diabetes, they are very important.
One such bread unit is equal to 12 g of net carbohydrates. Based on the data obtained, the dosage of the drug used is also calculated. Basically, 1 XE accounts for 1-2 units of insulin.
Diabetics are advised to opt for a low-carbohydrate diet with exceptions from their diet:
- potatoes;
- bread;
- sweets;
- groats;
- fruit containing glucose.
You should stop snacking and divide food into 4 meals. Be sure to consume protein-rich foods every time. The menu for type 1 diabetes is prescribed only by a doctor, and the recommendations received must be followed very strictly, since any deviation can provoke a sharp increase in glucose and a deterioration in well-being. The dietary program is developed taking into account the presence of concomitant diseases, complications and many other factors.
In addition, it is strongly not recommended to starve, as injections directly depend on the daily diet. If you reduce food or completely refuse food, then you will not be able to calculate the dose of insulin.
How long people with diabetes live
It is simply impossible to cure the disease forever, despite the fact that newer and more modern methods of therapy are constantly emerging. A promising direction is the use of insulin pumps, which are constantly being improved. They provide much better compensation for this substance in the body than its manual administration.
According to statistics, the period of life of patients with diabetes is not very optimistic, as men live to about 57 years and women to 61, with strict adherence to all the recommendations of the attending doctor. Very often, children and adolescents die from this disease, in whom diabetes was diagnosed only after the onset of ketoacidosis and coma.states. The older a person is, the more he is able to control his state of he alth, thereby increasing life expectancy.
Possible Complications
Insulin-dependent diabetes is dangerous because the disease progresses very quickly, as a result of which a person's well-being deteriorates sharply. With untimely detection of the pathological process, as well as sudden changes in the amount of glucose in the patient, the following complications may develop:
- diabetic angiopathy;
- gangrene;
- poor circulation;
- diabetic foot;
- osteoporosis;
- hepatitis;
- fatty liver.
The most dangerous complication is a coma. It poses a great threat to the life of the patient and, without timely assistance, can lead to death.
Carrying out preventive measures
In order to prevent the occurrence of this disease in adults and children, a comprehensive thorough prevention is required, especially in people with a hereditary predisposition. Preventive measures include:
- leading an active lifestyle;
- proper nutrition;
- stress management;
- timely treatment of infectious and viral diseases;
- strengthening immunity.
Type 1 diabetes is a complex and dangerous disease that cannot be cured, but with proper therapy and careful adherence to the doctor's recommendations, you can achieve normalization of well-being.
