Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in allowing glucose to enter cells and generate energy. The onset of Type 1 diabetes is typically rapid and often diagnosed in children, adolescents, or young adults, but it can occur at any age. Without insulin, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream instead of being used as energy, leading to high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), which can cause severe short-term and long-term health complications.

Management of Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin therapy to maintain blood glucose at near-normal levels. Patients manage their condition through multiple daily injections of insulin or via an insulin pump, alongside regular blood sugar monitoring. Diet and exercise are also important in managing blood sugar levels. Despite active research, there is currently no cure, and the exact cause of the immune system's attack on beta cells remains unclear, although it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.