What is type1 diabetes? This question is frequently asked by those who do not have a fair understanding of this disease and its types. The three major types of diabetes are – Type1 or insulin dependent diabetes, Type2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Type2 diabetes is most common and affects 80-85% of people with diabetes. However, in this article we will provide an insight into what is type1 diabetes and other aspects related to it.

 What is type1 diabetes?

Type1 diabetes, traditionally called as insulin dependant diabetes, is an autoimmune disease. The immune system fails to identify the beta cells produced by the pancreas and wages a war against them. Antibodies and inflammatory cells are manufactured by the immune system to destroy the insulin producing cells of pancreas. This results in lack of insulin in the body which further causes the glucose levels to shoot up. This type of diabetes is mostly found in children and adolescents and is therefore also called “juvenile diabetes”.

What is type1 diabetes main cause?

The main cause of type1 diabetes is an ‘auto immune process’ which causes lack of insulin.  Insulin is a hormone responsible for providing glucose to the various parts of the body. The hard glucose is then broken down into small particles to produce energy. Lack of insulin causes the glucose to remain in the blood stream. This, in turn, leads to high sugar level causing diabetes. Non production of insulin also causes fatigue as our muscles and other body parts are devoid of glucose and energy. The cause as well as the treatment of type 1 diabetes depends upon insulin. Therefore, it is referred to as insulin dependant diabetes.

What is type1 diabetes treatment?

Type1 diabetes can be treated by providing sufficient amount of insulin to the body at appropriate intervals. Insulin can be injected into the body using insulin injections. The frequency of these injections will depend upon various factors. Some of these are routine, eating habits, level of physical activity, and medical condition of the patient. Insulin can also be provided to the patient through insulin pumps and insulin pens. Insulin can not be taken in the form of oral medicines. Exercise and diet regulations can also help in treating type1 diabetes. Type1 diabetes was called as insulin dependent diabetes as its patient mainly depends upon insulin for his/her survival.

Insulin resistant diabetes v/s Insulin Dependent Diabetes

The difference between the two types of diabetes will help to understand each of them better. Type1 or insulin dependant diabetes is caused because the insulin producing beta cells are destroyed by the immunity system. On the other hand, insulin is produced by the pancreas in case of type2 diabetes. But type2 diabetes is caused because the body is unable to use this insulin in a proper manner. Type2 diabetes is also called as insulin resistant diabetes, as the body is resistant to the insulin produced by the beta cells of pancreas. The body fails to use the insulin for carrying the glucose to the various parts of the body.