Type 1 diabetes, not to be mistaken with the more prevalent type 2, is an autoimmune condition that arises when the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, rendering it incapable of producing any insulin.
At present, the cause of type 1 diabetes remains unclear, though individuals with a family history are at a marginally higher risk. The disease is more frequently diagnosed in children than adults, but can occur at any age. However, diagnosis is more likely before the age of 40.
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of nine and I distinctly recall some of the symptoms I experienced in the weeks leading up to my diagnosis. Unlike other conditions, including type 2 diabetes, symptoms of type 1 diabetes appear rapidly and can escalate until the individual becomes seriously ill, reports the Express. Key symptoms of type 1 diabetes include fatigue, weight loss, irritability, blurred vision, and increased thirst and hunger.
As a child, I was always on the slender side, so it wasn’t immediately apparent that I had lost weight until I was diagnosed and hospitalised. Being an active child who attended gymnastics classes and was constantly playing in the garden, feeling tired and yawning was also normal for me.
However, in retrospect, the one symptom that was noticeably different was the frequency of urination and the amount of water I was consuming. Every evening, I would find glasses in the kitchen where I had risen during the night for a drink of water. I was also frequently waking up to use the bathroom.
Insulin, produced by the pancreas, aids the body in utilising sugar for energy. So, when your pancreas fails to produce any insulin, the sugar accumulates in the blood.
With nowhere for the sugar to go, the kidneys are forced to absorb and filter out the sugar, with some of it being expelled from the body through urine. This process also draws fluids from your body’s tissues, leaving you feeling parched.
After several weeks of escalating symptoms, it became clear that something was amiss with my health. I began to feel ill and a quick perusal of a medical encyclopaedia led us to suspect that I likely had type 1 diabetes.
A visit to the GP and a random blood sugar test confirmed our worst fears – I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and would need to administer insulin injections for the rest of my life.
A person without diabetes will typically have a blood sugar reading between 4 and 6 mmol/L, which should be less than 8 mmol/L after eating. Upon diagnosis, my blood glucose level was 27 mmol/L, a condition known as hyperglycaemia, or simply ‘high blood sugar’.
The subsequent days were a haze. I was admitted to my local hospital for a few days for tests and monitoring, and a medication and diet plan was established.
Learning to administer my own insulin injections, conduct blood tests, change needles and replace insulin cartridges was a daunting task. However, I was resolute in my decision to manage the condition independently from the outset, rather than leaning on my family for support.
Initially, I grappled with hypoglycaemia, also referred to as ‘hypos’ or ‘low blood sugar’. Symptoms can range from feeling hungry, experiencing shaky hands, sweating, confusion, and in severe instances, loss of consciousness.
Low blood sugar levels can be triggered by an excess of insulin, excessive exercise, or skipping meals. As a child who was passionate about sports and physical activity, striking a balance proved challenging.
Consequently, I incorporated scheduled snacks into my daily routine to prevent my blood sugar levels from plummeting.
Fast forward nearly two decades, managing the condition has become significantly more manageable. The introduction of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems to the NHS has been transformative, resulting in a stabilisation of my blood sugar control.
This compact device adheres to the skin and continuously measures blood sugar levels throughout the day and night, enabling me to identify patterns.
I inject insulin approximately 10 times daily and have become adept at recognising the symptoms of both low and high blood sugar levels.
What are the most noticeable symptoms of type 1 diabetes?
The four primary symptoms of type 1 diabetes are collectively known as the ‘4Ts’. If you notice these symptoms in yourself, your child, or anyone else, it is crucial to consult a GP immediately:
- Toilet – urinating more often, especially at night.
- Thirsty – constant thirst that feels unquenchable.
- Tired – feeling fatigued and having no energy.
- Thinner – losing weight without trying or being thinner than usual.
What are the long-term effects of type 1 diabetes?
Maintaining high blood sugar levels consistently can heighten the risk of long-term complications and other health issues, like:
- Heart disease
- Vision problems
- Nerve damage
- Kidney problems
- Circulation problems
- Foot problems
- Gum disease