Etiology of type-1 Diabetes

After a trigger (be it environmental, viral or hormonal) the body begins an autoimmune attack against the Islets of Langerhans, which contain the insulin producing beta cells. This process is longitudinal, often taking years to conjure symptoms noticeable by family or physicians. As the persistent autoimmune attack progresses, the ability of the beta cells to produce insulin becomes increasingly compromised. At a point, the residual beta cells are not able to produce enough insulin to maintain normoglycemia, and blood sugars begin to rise. Diabetes becomes clinically evident when approximately 20% of beta cell function remains.

1. Information for illustration: Eisenbarth GS. N Engl J Med. 1986;314:1360-1368

 

Features Unique to Type-1 Diabetes

Certain features of type-1 diabetes differentiate it from Type 2, mostly in numbers of people afflicted. Only 5-10% of all diabetics are diagnosed as type-1. The traditional type-1 diabetic is diagnosed at a young age, and very often in childhood, and with a rapid onset of symptoms. This is due to a complete cessation of insulin production by the pancreas. Diabetic symptoms include extreme hunger, thirst, weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, and blurry vision. If these symptoms are present, and the patient is not hospitalized and given insulin and fluids in a timely manner, the patient can progress to ketoacidosis, a potentially fatal metabolic condition. Lastly, unlike type 2 patients who have the ability to use oral medications to manage their disease, type-1 patients must always use insulin.