Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus is a condition in which the amount of glucose or sugar in the
blood is too high. Glucose comes from the digestion of starchy foods such as sweets,
rice, potatoes and bread. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the
destruction of pancreatic beta cells, the cells in the body that make the hormone insulin.
Insulin is required for people to get energy from food, therefore, people with type 1
diabetes must take multiple injections of insulin each day or continually infuse Insulin
through an insulin pump in order to survive. They must monitor their blood glucose
levels closely with frequent blood testing throughout the day and night and adjust their
insulin levels, food intake, and amount of exercise accordingly. Even with the most
vigorous attention, many other factors can adversely affect a person 's blood glucose
levels, including stress, hormonal changes, growth spurts, medications, illness, and
fatigue. The management of this disease is a constant battle, not only for the patients, but
also for their families and loved ones. Low glucose caused potentially deadly medical
emergencies such as seizure and coma, while high glucose causes debilitating and
sometimes fatal health problems such as kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage,
amputation, heart attack, stroke and pregnancy complications. The main symptoms of
diabetes are thirst, having to go to the bathroom frequently especially at night, tiredness,
weight loss and blurred vision. (Goldstein, Robert Fighting Diabetes, Ebsohost V.
Library 2011). Type 1 diabetes strikes in childhood, adolescence or young adulthood:
but, it is not a disease you can outgrow. The prevalence of diabetes in the United States
was 13.7% among men and 11.7% among women greater than 30 years old. (Goodarz,
Daniel, & Murray Christopher (2009, July 16). Diabetes prevalence and diagnosis in the
United States. Some of the
blood is too high. Glucose comes from the digestion of starchy foods such as sweets,
rice, potatoes and bread. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the
destruction of pancreatic beta cells, the cells in the body that make the hormone insulin.
Insulin is required for people to get energy from food, therefore, people with type 1
diabetes must take multiple injections of insulin each day or continually infuse Insulin
through an insulin pump in order to survive. They must monitor their blood glucose
levels closely with frequent blood testing throughout the day and night and adjust their
insulin levels, food intake, and amount of exercise accordingly. Even with the most
vigorous attention, many other factors can adversely affect a person 's blood glucose
levels, including stress, hormonal changes, growth spurts, medications, illness, and
fatigue. The management of this disease is a constant battle, not only for the patients, but
also for their families and loved ones. Low glucose caused potentially deadly medical
emergencies such as seizure and coma, while high glucose causes debilitating and
sometimes fatal health problems such as kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage,
amputation, heart attack, stroke and pregnancy complications. The main symptoms of
diabetes are thirst, having to go to the bathroom frequently especially at night, tiredness,
weight loss and blurred vision. (Goldstein, Robert Fighting Diabetes, Ebsohost V.
Library 2011). Type 1 diabetes strikes in childhood, adolescence or young adulthood:
but, it is not a disease you can outgrow. The prevalence of diabetes in the United States
was 13.7% among men and 11.7% among women greater than 30 years old. (Goodarz,
Daniel, & Murray Christopher (2009, July 16). Diabetes prevalence and diagnosis in the
United States. Some of the
References: Bourne, Paul A. (2020) Health Lifestyle and Healthcare Utilization Among Health Professionals, Ebsohost V Library Goldstein, Robert (2011) Fighting Diabetes Ebsohost V Library Goodarz, Daniel & Murray, Christopher (2009, July 16) Diabetes Prevalence and Diagnoses in the United States. Retrieved from http://www.pophealthmetrics.con/com/content/7/16/2009 Hill, J. (2007) Teaching Type 1 Diabetes in Primary Care, Ebsohost V Library Mayo Clinic Staff (2011)