Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 In Adults

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is diabetes mellitus type 1? Diabetes mellitus is a disease affecting how your body makes insulin and how it uses glucose (sugar). Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use sugar by allowing the sugar to enter body cells. The four types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, other specific types, and gestational diabetes. With type 1 diabetes, your body makes little or no insulin, causing high blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes. It is more common in children or young adults, but it can occur at any age.

What causes diabetes mellitus type 1? Type 1 diabetes may be an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a condition where your body's immune system (defense system) attacks your body's cells. Normally, when blood glucose level increases, the pancreas (an organ that lies behind the stomach) makes insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed.

What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus type 1? You may have any of the following:

• More thirsty than usual.
  
  
• Frequent urination.
  
  
• Losing weight without trying.
  
  
• Blurred vision (eyesight).
  
  
• Hungry most of the time.

How is diabetes mellitus type 1 diagnosed? Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed with blood sugar tests. Caregivers will test your blood sugar twice to be sure that you have diabetes. A positive blood sugar result should be repeated the next day. You may have any of the following blood sugar tests:

• Casual plasma glucose: This may be the first blood sugar test done if you have symptoms of diabetes. You may have diabetes if your blood sugar is 200 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) or higher.
  
  
• Fasting plasma glucose: After you have fasted (no food or liquid) for eight hours, your blood sugar will be checked. You may have diabetes if your blood sugar is 126 mg/dl or higher.
  
  
• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): Your blood will be drawn two or more times during this test. After fasting, the first sample of blood will be taken. You will then be given a glucose drink. Two hours after drinking the liquid, the second sample of blood will be taken. A blood sugar result of 200 mg/dl or higher may mean you have diabetes.

How is diabetes mellitus type 1 treated? Type 1 diabetes can be treated and controlled most of the time. The goal is to keep your blood sugar at normal levels. This can be done by correctly taking your insulin daily. Eating the right foods and exercising are also very important in controlling diabetes. You will learn how to check your blood sugar at home. You may have to check your blood sugar level three or more times daily.

How do I check my blood sugar levels? Your caregiver will teach you how to use a glucose monitor. This is a small device that tells how much sugar is in your blood. The monitor uses a small drop of blood from a prick on your finger. Your blood sugar should be between 90 and 130 mg/dl. Record your blood sugar results in a diary each time you check it. Bring the diary with you when you see your caregiver.

What other health problems can diabetes mellitus type 1 cause? Having uncontrolled high blood sugar levels may damage other body tissues and organs over time. You may be at risk of having one or more of the following if your sugar levels are always high:

• Heart attack, stroke, and other problems due to poor circulation.
  
  
• Kidney damage that may cause kidney failure.
  
  
• Nerve damage which may cause numbness and an increased risk of having foot ulcers.
  
  
• Eye problems that may cause blurred vision or even blindness.

How can diabetes mellitus type 1 be controlled?

• Diet: A diabetes nurse or a dietitian will help you learn what to eat and how food affects diabetes. Caregivers may suggest the following:
  
  
  • Choose foods low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Lean cuts of meat, fish, and skinless poultry (chicken and turkey), and low-fat milk are good examples.
    
    
  • Choose foods that are good sources of fiber, such as vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals. Legumes, such as garbanzo, pinto, or kidney beans and lentils, are also good fiber sources.
    
    
  • Your caregiver may suggest limiting how much carbohydrates you eat. Eating too much carbohydrate at one time can cause your blood sugar to rise to a very high level. Carbohydrates are found in starches (bread, cereal, starchy vegetables, and beans), fruit, milk, and yogurt. Sweets, such as candy, desserts, or regular soda also contain carbohydrates.
    
    
  • Eat the same amount of food for your meals and snacks about the same time every day.
    
    
  • Never skip a meal.
  
  
• Exercise: Controlling your weight by exercising can change the amount of insulin your body needs. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise every day. Work with your caregiver to plan the best exercise program for you.

Where can I find support and more information? Having type 1 diabetes is a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have diabetes may be hard. You may want to join a support group which is a group of people who also have type 1 diabetes. Contact the following for more information:

• American Association of Diabetes Educators
  American Association of Diabetes Educators
  100 West Monroe Street, Suite 400
  Chicago, IL 60603-1901
  Phone: 1-800-338-3633
  Web Address: http://www.aadenet.org
  

• American Diabetes Association
  1701 North Beauregard Street
  Alexandria, VA 22311
  Phone: 1-800-342-2383
  Web Address: http://www.diabetes.org
  

• National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
  1 Information Way
  Bethesda, MD 20892-3560
  Phone: 1-800-860-8747
  Web Address: www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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