Type 1 Diabetes: What You Need to Know

In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make insulin or makes very little insulin. Without insulin, blood sugar is unable to enter the cells and builds up in the bloodstream. High blood sugar damages the body and causes many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2 diabetes; approximately 5-10% of people with diabetes have type 1. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes, but it can be managed by following your doctor’s recommendations for:

living a healthy lifestyle
managing your blood sugar
getting regular health checkups
getting diabetes self-management education and support

Type 1 diabetes symptoms can develop in just a few weeks or months and can be severe. These include:

urinating frequently, often at night
excessive thirst & hunger
unexplained weight loss
blurry vision
numb or tingling hands or feet
feeling very tired
having very dry skin
having sores that heal slowly
having more infections than usual
nausea, vomiting or stomach pains

Based on currently available information, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that adults of any age with type 1 diabetes might be at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. As such, individuals with chronic conditions such as type 1 diabetes must follow these simple precautions:

wear a mask and face shield
maintain physical distancing
get a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available
avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces
wash hands often with soap and water
use alcohol or hand sanitizer

Consult your doctor about the optimal management of type 1 diabetes.

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References:

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/what-is-type-1-diabetes.html. Accessed 27March 2021
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/symptoms.html. Accessed 27 March 2021
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Accessed 27 March 2021
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html. Accessed 27 March 2021

Type 1 Diabetes: What You Need to Know

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