What is type 1 diabetes?

Diabetes is characterized by a partial or total lack of insulin production by the body. Type 1 diabetes (previously insulin) is a condition in which the body can not produce insulin or the cells of the pancreas responsible for producing insulin are destroyed. Diabetes is defined by a fasting glucose greater than 1.26 g / l (7 mmol / l) or a blood glucose greater than 2 g / L (11mmol / l) at any time of day (Source: HAS guide for patients - ALD - October 2006). There are also non-insulin dependent diabetes or type 2, which generally moves slowly into adulthood. Type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes is a disease for life, caused by lack of insulin. Insulin is a hormone, a substance of vital importance, those manufactured by some of the pancreas: beta cells. Without insulin, your body can not properly store and use food, especially sugars you ingest. You're tired, and the consequence is that your blood sugar becomes too high, even without eating. What causes type 1 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is installed when the system's natural defense the body against viruses and bacteria destroys pancreatic cells responsible for insulin production. Or the causes of such a condition is not currently clear. However, we know that members of certain families are more likely than others to become diabetic. We also know that some external factors (viral infection) play a role. It should be noted that in the vast majority of cases (90%) cases of diabetes are isolated, not family. The mode of interaction of these factors is unknown. Before becoming diabetic Before you become diabetic, your blood glucose maintained at exactly the right level. Your blood sugar was less than 1.26 g / l (7 mmol / l) in the morning on an empty stomach. After a meal containing carbohydrates (complex sugars into simple sugars), sugar (glucose) is absorbed very quickly into the blood. The amount of sugar in the blood should be neither too high nor too low. Two hormones, insulin (hypoglycemic) and glucagon (hyperglycaemic), produced by the pancreas, provide good glycemic control, regardless of the amount of food you eat and whatever the level of physical activity that you have. Blood glucose rises after a meal After eating, blood glucose (called post prandial, 1h30 to 2h after meals) increases. In a non-diabetic, insulin is released into the blood and taken with sugar, to all cells in the body. Insulin acts as a key and opens doors in the walls of muscle cells, allowing the sugar circulating in the blood from entering the cell to provide energy. Insulin opens the doors of fat or muscle so that the sugar is stored while waiting to be released as and when necessary. This further lowers the blood glucose to normal levels. When you have diabetes Insulin acts as a key. In diabetes, the body can not produce enough keys to open the cell doors. If sugar can not get into your muscles and other cells to produce energy, you feel tired (fatigue), and sugar can not enter the cells to be used, accumulates in the blood ( hyperglycemia). At the beginning of your diabetes is observed hyperglycaemia. Sugar in urine Urine is formed in the kidneys when the blood is filtered. Without enough insulin, the amount of sugar in your blood reaches very high levels. Beyond a blood glucose equal to 1.80 g / l (10 mmol / l), some sugar then is eliminated with the urine via the kidneys (the "glycosuria"). This means, in some way, that dietary carbohydrates are not used and are released into the urine. The sugar is eliminated with the urine took with him a lot of water, causing urine clear and abundant and a large thirst. You drink a lot (polydipsia) and urinate frequently (polyuria). Ketones in urine Without insulin necessary, your body can not use sugar, and tries to burn fat when used as an alternative source of energy. When your liver burns fat too quickly, the product of the degrading toxic called ketones. These ketones are dangerous because they are produced in large quantities they make the blood acidic and are responsible for the occurrence of acidosis. When ketones reach your kidneys, some are excreted in the urine with sugar: the "ketonuria". Ketoacidosis At the onset of type 1 diabetes, in the absence of treatment with insulin, there occurs a complication called acute severe ketoacidosis. You may feel ill, probably suffering from stomach pains and vomiting, and respiratory difficulties may lead to loss of consciousness. This condition can cause a diabetic coma. It requires immediate treatment with insulin and input liquid infusion. In patients previously treated, ketoacidosis can occur in case of the insulin or inadequate (eg during infections or fever or the need for insulin increases). It is a medical emergency should not suffer any delay, which fortunately can be prevented by care and education at the discovery of the disease. Now that you have diabetes To have your blood sugar is monitored constantly, now that you have diabetes, you do what your agency previously automatically. The aim is to imitate by several injections of insulin secretion that you had before becoming diabetic and maintain the level of blood glucose as close to normal as possible. The treatment of diabetes Every day, you'll need several insulin injections. It is important to have a healthy diet. Make three meals and possibly correct snacks per day. Remember to exercise regularly. You should also make the learning of diabetes, learn how to test your blood sugar and how to react appropriately according to the reading of your blood sugar