Type 1 diabetes

Why type 1 diabetes is a serious condition

Type 1 diabetes is a serious condition because the body stops producing insulin, a hormone essential for survival. Without insulin, blood glucose can quickly become dangerously high and lead to life-threatening complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Over time, type 1 diabetes can cause diabetes-related complications, damaging the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and blood vessels.

Even with excellent treatment, blood glucose levels can change rapidly and unpredictably. Low blood glucose can cause confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness.

The daily management of type 1 diabetes can also place a significant physical, emotional, and mental burden on people living with the condition and their families.

Risk factors for type 1 diabetes

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes remains unknown, but several factors are known to increase risk.

Genetic risk

Type 1 diabetes is influenced by genetics, with more than 50 genes linked to a person’s risk. However, genetic risk varies globally, and having certain genetic markers does not necessarily mean someone will develop the condition. This suggests that environmental factors may also play an important role in triggering type 1 diabetes.

Family history

The likelihood of developing type 1 diabetes increases with a family history of the condition. When combined with genetic factors, the risk varies by familial relationship. People with a parent, sibling or child with type 1 diabetes are at much greater overall risk than the general population.

Autoimmune conditions clustering

Autoimmune conditions can run in families. This means a person with type 1 diabetes may have relatives with other autoimmune conditions or may be more likely to develop another autoimmune condition themselves. The conditions most often linked with type 1 diabetes are autoimmune thyroid disease and coeliac disease.

Presence of islet autoantibodies

Islet autoantibodies are proteins produced by the immune system that mistakenly target and attack the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Their presence in the body is a strong marker of the risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

Environmental factors

Environmental factors such as viral infections, early-life nutrition, gut imbalance and physical activity interact with genetic risk to influence the development of islet autoantibodies and type 1 diabetes.

Managing type 1 diabetes

People with type 1 diabetes require daily insulin treatment and regular blood glucose monitoring and are advised to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to manage their condition.

Insulin treatment

All people with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin to control their blood glucose levels. There are different types of insulin depending on how quickly they work, when they peak and how long they last. The three most common ways to take insulin are with a syringe, an insulin pen or an insulin pump.

Glucose monitoring

Glucose monitoring helps people with type 1 diabetes understand how food, insulin, physical activity, stress and illness affect their blood glucose levels in real time. This allows them to make informed treatment decisions and keep their blood glucose levels within the target range to help prevent dangerous high and low levels and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

There are three main types of glucose monitoring:

• Fingerstick monitoring, which uses a blood sample from the fingertip to provide a single glucose value, generated with a blood glucose meter, at a specific moment in time.
• Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM, which uses a small sensor worn on the body to measure glucose levels continuously throughout the day and night.
• Flash glucose monitoring, which is similar to CGM but typically requires the scan of a sensor with a reader or smartphone to view glucose data.

The emergence of CGM is a pivotal advancement in supporting diabetes management, offering a more user-friendly and less intrusive solution to measure glucose levels. For people living with type 1 diabetes, CGM devices can improve quality of life and well-being by providing real-time data that helps make informed decisions about diet, insulin dosing and overall lifestyle.

Healthy nutrition and physical activity

People with type 1 diabetes can eat a variety of food without restrictions. The days of following strict guidelines are long gone, thanks to advancements in insulin regimens and delivery systems. However, to help keep blood glucose levels within the target range and delay or avoid diabetes-related complications, people with type 1 diabetes should eat healthy, balanced meals that include all major food groups.

Regular physical activity is very important for the management of type 1 diabetes. It improves cardiovascular health, builds strength, aids in weight management and helps manage blood glucose levels. Exercise also boosts mood, reduces stress, and increases mental well-being for a healthy lifestyle.