Five Things You Need to Know About Type 1 Diabetes
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Forget COVID-19, the real epidemic in Australia is diabetes. According to Diabetes Australia, in the last year alone, 100,000 Australians were diagnosed with diabetes.
That's one person diagnosed every five minutes. The term 'diabetes' covers all forms, but in this nutrition update, we'll answer the most common questions people have about Type 1 Diabetes. To find out more about Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes, you can read our post What You Need to Know About Diabetes. We've developed a handy infographic that you'll find at the end of this post for you to grab and use! So, here are the five things you need to know about T1 Diabetes. |
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1. Anyone can get Type 1 Diabetes
T1 or Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a condition in which the body can't maintain healthy levels of glucose in the bloodstream. It occurs because there's insufficient or a complete lack of the hormone called insulin. Insulin is usually produced in the body and converts glucose from foods we eat into energy.
Around 1.7 million people in Australia have diabetes, 13% have Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Sadly, T1D is one of Australia's most common childhood diseases. It most commonly presents itself between the ages of 5-6 and 10-14 but can occur at any age. The incidence of T1D has been increasing annually by 2-5% worldwide.
Around 1.7 million people in Australia have diabetes, 13% have Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Sadly, T1D is one of Australia's most common childhood diseases. It most commonly presents itself between the ages of 5-6 and 10-14 but can occur at any age. The incidence of T1D has been increasing annually by 2-5% worldwide.
2. Type 1 Diabetes is not caused by poor diet or lack of exercise.
The science of T1D is that it occurs due to an auto-immune response involving the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. For some reason we don't yet fully understand, the pancreas stops producing insulin.
It means the body isn't able to get the energy from glucose to function properly. We suspect that this is mainly due to genetic factors; however, the exact cause and triggers of T1D remain unknown. What's important to understand is that T1D cannot be prevented and may present at any stage of life.
There's emerging research to suggest the role of environmental factors in developing T1D in genetically susceptible people.
Some of the potential risk and protective factors include ethnicity, anthropometry (measurements of the body including height, weight, BMI body circumference and skinfold thickness), viruses, maternal age and weight, microbiota (the billions of bacteria and other single-cell organisms that live in our gut), seasons, diet and geographic location.
However, unlike Type 2 Diabetes, lifestyle doesn't play a part in the development of T1D. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet is crucial in managing T1D to ensure people's quality of life.
It means the body isn't able to get the energy from glucose to function properly. We suspect that this is mainly due to genetic factors; however, the exact cause and triggers of T1D remain unknown. What's important to understand is that T1D cannot be prevented and may present at any stage of life.
There's emerging research to suggest the role of environmental factors in developing T1D in genetically susceptible people.
Some of the potential risk and protective factors include ethnicity, anthropometry (measurements of the body including height, weight, BMI body circumference and skinfold thickness), viruses, maternal age and weight, microbiota (the billions of bacteria and other single-cell organisms that live in our gut), seasons, diet and geographic location.
However, unlike Type 2 Diabetes, lifestyle doesn't play a part in the development of T1D. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet is crucial in managing T1D to ensure people's quality of life.
3. Common Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
The onset of T1 Diabetes is often sudden, with symptoms including excessive thirst, increased frequency of urination, unintentional weight loss, and fatigue.
Other, less obvious symptoms may include:
Other, less obvious symptoms may include:
- Blurred vision
- Increased hunger
- Slow healing of cuts and wounds
- Headaches
- Skin infections and itchiness
- Dizziness
- Mood swings
- Leg cramps
4. Type 1 Diabetes is treatable, not curable.
At this stage, we cannot prevent or cure Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes management involves maintaining blood glucose levels as close to within normal ranges as possible and maintaining healthy blood lipid profiles to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
T1D is a life-long condition managed by replacing the insulin the body cannot produce via regular insulin injections or an insulin pump. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels, maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise will help optimise management and reduce the risk of complications.
Maintaining blood sugar levels requires a careful balance of dietary intake, medication, and physical activity. Dietitians and Diabetes Educators can help guide you on appropriate food quantities and advise on how to incorporate food to suit your insulin regimen and physical activity levels.
T1D is a life-long condition managed by replacing the insulin the body cannot produce via regular insulin injections or an insulin pump. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels, maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise will help optimise management and reduce the risk of complications.
Maintaining blood sugar levels requires a careful balance of dietary intake, medication, and physical activity. Dietitians and Diabetes Educators can help guide you on appropriate food quantities and advise on how to incorporate food to suit your insulin regimen and physical activity levels.
5. Living with Type 1 Diabetes
T1 Diabetes is a life-long condition; however, people can live a long and healthy life with appropriate treatment, monitoring, and lifestyle changes. Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight can help to prevent or decrease the development of diabetes complications. Insulin requirements and nutritional needs may change over time, so it's essential to work with your health care team for long-term solutions.
We believe that having a dietitian in your corner who knows you and understands your lifestyle is essential! Dietitians work with you to develop a plan that can change with you, allowing you to get on with living life to the full!
We believe that having a dietitian in your corner who knows you and understands your lifestyle is essential! Dietitians work with you to develop a plan that can change with you, allowing you to get on with living life to the full!
We're here to help!
Call 0423 206 939 or email the Perfect Balance Nutrition team for more information or make an appointment with one of our Accredited Practising Dietitians.