What is 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.

• Have your child always wear a medical bracelet or necklace so medical personnel can give the right care. You can buy these at most drugstores and online.
• Follow your child's treatment plan for diabetes. Help your child to:
  • Take insulin as directed.
  • Eat healthy foods and follow their meal plan to know how much carbohydrate they need for meals and snacks.
  • Be active each day. Your child may like to take a walk with you, ride a bike, or play sports.
  • Check and record your child's blood sugar several times a day. Your child's doctor or diabetes educator will tell you when the levels should be checked. As your child grows older, you can teach them to take on more and more of this responsibility.
  • Track any symptoms of low blood sugar your child has, and know how to treat it. For example, keep quick-sugar foods and glucagon with your child.
  • Track any changes in your child's activities, diet, or insulin use.
• Work with your child's doctor to write up a sick-day plan for what to do on days when your child is sick. Your child's blood sugar can go up or down, depending on the illness and if your child can keep food down. Call the doctor when your child is sick to see if you need to adjust your child's insulin.

Create and find support

• Show your child how to talk about feelings. Teach your child to talk to family, friends, a doctor, or a counselor when feeling afraid, sad, angry, or even guilty about having diabetes.
• Consider a summer camp for children who have diabetes. It can help children learn about their disease and about how to manage it. It also introduces them to other children who have type 1 diabetes.
• Join a support group for parents of children with diabetes. Local groups are available in most areas.
• Ask your child's treatment team for support when you need it. Call your doctor or other diabetes expert if you have questions or concerns about your child's care.