Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes – previously known as insulin dependent or juvenile diabetes – is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to produce the insulin needed, because the cells that produce the insulin have been destroyed by the body’s immune system.
Usually diagnosed in childhood, teen and young adult years, type 1 diabetes can occur at any age. Lifestyle choices don’t cause type 1 diabetes.
Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes
People with type 1 diabetes usually have sudden onset of symptoms, which may include:
- Going to the toilet frequently to pass urine
- Excessive thirst and drinking a lot of fluids
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Mood changes
- Skin infections
- Oral or vaginal thrush
- Abdominal pain
- Excess hunger
- Weakness
- Irritability
Type 1 is managed with insulin injections several times a day, or through the use of an insulin pump
Type 1 diabetes is NOT:
• Caused by eating too much sugar or by having a bad diet
• Curable – once diagnosed, you have the disease for life
• Your fault – there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes
• Contagious – you can’t catch it from another person
Support
You are not alone! There is an extensive range of people, healthcare professionals, groups, communities and resources to support you on your journey to ‘living your life’ with diabetes.
To find out more about the available support, click here or call Diabetes NSW & ACT on 1300 136 588.
