Here you will find information on causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of type 1 diabetes
What is type 1 diabetes?
Around 400,000 people in Germany are suffering from type 1 diabetes. It is an autoimmune disease.
The body's immune system, which is primarily the defense of pathogenic
germs, aligns itself so far unclear reasons suddenly against the
insulin-producing cells of the pancreas and destroys them. As a result, it takes a few days to weeks for lack of insulin production. Type 1 diabetes often occurs as early as childhood and adolescence.
The hormone insulin 's job to smuggle the the ingested sugar from the blood into the cells that need it for energy. In insulin deficiency, the sugar in the blood accumulates - the blood sugar level rises. This can damage permanently the blood vessels, nerves and numerous organs.
Patients with type 1 diabetes need throughout their lives several times
daily insulin injections to prevent acute metabolic disorders and
related diseases due to high blood glucose levels.
What is the difference between Type 1 diabetes and Type 2?
Unlike type 1 diabetes, the type 2 diabetes , below the estimates about seven million people in Germany suffer, not a result of a lack of insulin, but an insulin resistance . This means that the cells no longer speak adequately to insulin, so that the hormone can not smuggle the sugar into the cells. The blood sugar rises. To compensate, the pancreas first produces large quantities of insulin. also no longer sufficient to overcome the insulin resistance, a type 2 diabetes develops. The main causes of type 2 diabetes are genetic predisposition, obesity and lack of exercise. While type 1 diabetes is more likely in younger years, a type 2 diabetes often develops at an advanced age in patients.
Important NOTE:
This article provides only general information and may not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It can not replace a doctor's visit. The answer individual questions by our experts is not possible.