"Type 1 Diabetes Treatment"

Type 1 Diabetes Facts

Located at the back of the abdomen, pancreas secrete the hormone insulin, that is vital in controlling the sugar (glucose) flow in and out of the body cells. Deficiency or lack of insulin in the body leads to occurrence of type 1 diabetes. Deficiency of insulin in the body is a consequence of damaged pancreas. The pancreas are damaged due to an autoimmune disorder or due to a viral infection. The reason for autoimmune disorders (like complications of thyroid and adrenal glands) are still not clear to medical science.

All that medical experts are able to predict is that, in an autoimmune disorder, the body's immune system turns against itself. Hence, in type 1 diabetes, the cells in pancreas responsible for insulin production are destroyed by the very same cells that are inherently designed to protect body from microorganism infections.

Type 1 diabetes is less common (nearly 10% of all diabetes cases in America are type 1) than majorly prevalent type 2 diabetes disease (nearly 90% of all total diabetes cases are of type 2). Moreover, type 1 diabetes causes include various reasons right from auto immunity to viral infections, genetics, etc.

Type 1 Diabetes Treatment and Prevention

The most common and in fact most widely used type 1 diabetes cure is the injection of insulin under the skin fat so that it is absorbed into the blood stream. Once insulin is into the blood stream, it can then easily reach all cells of the body that are in urgent need of insulin for producing energy.

It has to be noted that insulin in the form of pills is not recommended as the acidic juices in the stomach interfere with it, and hence the insulin can be destroyed before showing any effects. Since insulin is a hormone, its chemical structure (three-dimensional molecules) is damaged after reaction with acids. Either through digestive system enzymes (released by pancreas) or through stomach acids, insulin can be destroyed. Hence, injections are the safest and ideal way. Summarized briefly, type 1 diabetes treatment is meted out to patients in following ways.

• Frequent or regular insulin injections or insulin pumps (as per prescribed by medical experts).
  Ensuring that physical activity in the form of plenty of exercises (not over straining exercises though) are an integral part of the lifestyle of a diabetic patient.
  Monitoring the body weight frequently and putting a check on it, in case it exceeds or is less than normal body weight.
  Following proper type 1 diabetes diet, keeping in mind the carbohydrate levels in the diet.
   

It has to be understood that type 1 diabetes treatment varies for every individual, in terms of insulin dosage and other activities. Hence, in case you have been wondering 'how to treat type 1 diabetes', then the answer is that you have to work as per guidance of your health care dietitian, GP and diabetes nurse. Smoking and alcohol must be quit as they are threats to the life of a diabetic patient. A healthy lifestyle is the most important requirement for improving symptoms of type 1 diabetes. Moreover, your self determination and support of family and friends is also crucial. By starting from proper dosage of insulin injections to healthy exercises and eating right type and amount of food, type 1 diabetes treatment can certainly be successful in reducing the risk factors of diabetes type 1 to the minimum.