Type 1 Diabetes

Often developing in children and teenagers, type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder. It happens when the immune system attacks beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin, so the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin helps the body control blood sugar levels; without it, hyperglycemia results.
While the exact cause of T1D remains unclear, experts believe that environmental factors such as viral infections and genetic predisposition play a significant role. Usually developing quickly, symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination, inexplicable weight loss, tiredness, and blurred eyesight. Untreated, it can cause life-threatening consequences like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Blood tests gauging glucose levels and autoantibodies confirm diagnosis. Management of paediatric T1D calls for a balanced diet, blood sugar monitoring, and lifetime insulin treatment either by injection or insulin pumps. Ensuring adherence to therapy and identifying early symptoms of problems depends much on parents and carers.
Children with T1D can lead normal lives with appropriate management despite their obstacles. Artificial pancreas systems and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), two new technologies in diabetes care, have made it easier to control glucose levels and lower risks, which has made the quality of life for young patients better.