SUPPORT GROUP

UNDERSTANDING TYPE-1 DIABETES

Children are most likely to be diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes.

When a child has Type-1 diabetes, it means that the immune system of the child’s body has made a mistake and destroyed the insulin producing cells in the child’s pancreas. That is why type-1 diabetes is considered an autoimmune disorder.

What is insulin?
Insulin is a hormone which is made by specialized cells, called beta cells, in the pancreas. It converts glucose from the food we eat into energy to be used by the body, thus controlling the blood sugar in the body.

Insulin acts like a key that is needed to open the doors for glucose to enter the body cells, in order to be utilized as the main source of energy. If it is not produced, these doors will remain closed and glucose will accumulate in the blood and rise. The body cells will starve and become sick, as no glucose has reached the cells- despite high glucose levels in the blood. Glucose in the blood will start to spill out in the urine too. A person with type-1 diabetes can no longer produce insulin or maintain a normal blood glucose level. He or she needs to take insulin daily to stay alive for the rest of his/her life. Insulin is given via multiple daily injections.



Please note:

A person cannot get Type–1 diabetes by eating too much sugar.

Type–1 diabetes is not contagious under any circumstances.

Next