Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes is also characterized by the presence of certain autoantibodies against insulin or other components of the insulin-producing system such as glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), tyrosine phosphatase and/or islet cells.
At this time, there’s no cure for Type 1 diabetes. Treatment consists of infusing insulin with a syringe, insulin pen or insulin pump.
Learn about six common Type 1 diabetes symptoms below.
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency characterized by an extremely high blood glucose level and a toxic level of ketones in the blood. It can cause such symptoms as extreme thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, fever, paleness, elevated heart rate, nausea or abdominal pain, fruity or acidic-smelling breath, shortness of breath and lethargy.
