Type 1 Diabetes is also called "childhood", "juvenile" and "insulin-dependent diabetes" and is the most common type of diabetes diagnosed in children.
Type 1 Diabetes results when your pancreas stop making enough insulin.
Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes:
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Weight loss
- Feeling tired or weak
- Blurred vision
Children and teens who have Type 1 Diabetes must take insulin though a syringe or an injection to get well.
If you have Type 1 Diabetes you will begin to feel better once you start receiving insulin injections. The symptoms of Diabetes [thirst, frequent urination, weight loss] will improve and eventually go away.
However, even when you feel good it is important that you continue taking the right amount of insulin to stay well.
Type 1 Diabetes can be triggered when your body develops an autoimmune reaction against itself or specifically against the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. We still do not fully understand the mechanism or what triggers this autoimmune reaction. In addition, having a parent or sibling with diabetes can increase your risk of developing diabetes.
It is important for parents to understand that Type 1 Diabetes is not preventable and is not caused by eating too much sugar.
Kids with Type 1 Diabetes can continue to participate in activities like other children their age, with guidance from their doctor and nurse. Children with Diabetes are healthy, can plan spot, have sleepovers, attend parties and trick-or-treat on Halloween.