Diabetes type 1 in children and teens

Type 1 diabetes is a disease that starts when the pancreas stops making enough of a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps the body use sugar from food as energy or store it for later use. If there isn't any insulin, too much sugar stays in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar can harm many parts of the body. These include the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys.

Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but it usually starts in children or young adults. It's a lifelong disease. But with treatment and a healthy lifestyle, people can live a long and healthy life.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes are caused by high blood sugar. They usually develop quickly, over a few days to weeks. At first, symptoms may be overlooked or mistaken for another illness, like the flu.

Symptoms include:

• Urinating often. This may be more noticeable at night.
• Being very thirsty. This happens if a person urinates so often that they get dehydrated.
• Losing weight without trying. This happens because the body isn't able to get energy from sugar. Instead, the body uses muscle and fat for energy.
• Increased hunger. The body isn't using all the calories that it can. Many calories leave the body through urine.
• Blurry vision. When sugar builds up in the lens of the eye, it sucks extra water into the eye. This changes the shape of the lens and blurs vision.
• Feeling very tired. The body isn't using the calories it takes in, and it isn't getting the energy it needs.

The doctor will ask about past health issues and do a physical exam. Blood tests are done to measure how much sugar is in the blood. The doctor will use those test results and the American Diabetes Association criteria to diagnose diabetes.

Some people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes because they have symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.

It may be hard to tell what type of diabetes a person has. If so, the doctor may do a C-peptide test or test for autoantibodies to diagnose type 1 diabetes or a slowly developing form of type 1 diabetes called latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). Some rare forms of diabetes are caused by a genetic problem. Genetic testing may be done to diagnose them. This includes maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY). There are many types of MODY, depending on the gene that is affected.

Treatment for type 1 diabetes focuses on keeping blood sugar levels within a target range. This will help prevent problems from diabetes such as eye, kidney, heart, and nerve disease.

To manage type 1 diabetes, a person will:

• Take insulin every day. This may be done through an insulin pump or a syringe (needle).
• Check blood sugar levels often.
• Make healthy food choices.
• Get regular physical activity. Exercise helps the body to use insulin in a more efficient way.
• Get routine screening tests and exams. These are done to watch for signs of problems.
• Avoid smoking.

Blood sugar levels are easier to manage when mealtimes, amount of food, and exercise are similar every day.

Medicine to treat other health problems, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, may be needed. This may help prevent problems from diabetes.

• Work with your doctor and your family to create a plan that'll help you take responsibility for your:
  • Medicine. Follow the insulin schedule that your doctor gives you.
  • Testing. Check and record your blood sugar as often as directed. These records can help your doctor see how you are doing and adjust your treatment if needed. Keep track of any symptoms you have, such as low blood sugar. And write down any changes in your activities, diet, or insulin use.
  • Eating. Eat healthy foods, including lots of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Exercise. Get plenty of exercise every day. Go for a walk or jog, ride your bike, or play sports with friends.
  • Drinking. Teens may use alcohol for many reasons, but alcohol may cause low blood sugar and can mask symptoms of low blood sugar.
  • Smoking. Don't smoke. Smoking affects your blood vessels and can lead to diabetes problems earlier in life.
• Always have glucagon with you. It's important that people close to you know the signs of low blood sugar and can give you glucagon if needed.
• Work with your doctor to write up a sick-day plan for what to do on days when you are sick. Your blood sugar can go up or down, depending on your illness and whether you can keep food down. Call your doctor when you are sick, to see if you need to adjust your insulin.
• Talk to your doctor, your parents, your friends, or a counselor if you feel afraid, sad, angry, or even guilty about having diabetes.
• Find out if your school has rules about students carrying their own medicines, needles, and blood sugar meters. Many schools require that students get special permission or that supplies be kept at the school.