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Introduction

There are three primary types of diabetes--type-1, type-2 and gestational diabetes. Type-1 diabetes, formerly known as insulin dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes, occurs because the body fails to produce enough insulin, and requires the individual to add insulin to their body via injection or pump. It results from the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas with the subsequent lack of insulin leads to increased blood and urine glucose. Type-2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance, where the body fails to use the insulin properly, and is sometimes combined with an insulin deficiency. And gestational diabetes is seen in pregnant women who have not have had a previous diagnosis of diabetes but develop high blood glucose levels. This form of diabetes, if not treated, can lead to type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Learning Objectives

This program will focus on type-1 diabetes, with a review of type-1 diabetes and the basics of diabetes care, including treatment goals and management strategies.

1.Describe the etiology of type-1 diabetes. Diabetes has a few causes and we will examine those that are responsible for causing type-1 diabetes.

2.There are several complications which can be the result of type-1 diabetes. You should be able to identify two acute and two chronic complications of type-1 diabetes.

3.Define the three primary factors that influence blood glucose levels. Once these are known, the disease and its manifestations are easier to understand and manage.

4.Describe two differences between basal and bolus injections. There are two general methods for administering insulin, and each has its particular merits. During this program we will examine what they are.

Let's see what you know about type-1 diabetes.

This is false. As we will discuss in a moment, Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body does not recognize some of its cells as its own, and utilizes the immune system to destroy them. When certain pancreatic cells are attacked, a person may lose the ability to produce insulin.

The Role Of Insulin

The role of insulin in the body is to allow serum glucose to enter a body cell for metabolism and to produce energy. To use an analogy, insulin acts like a key that opens glucose channels so glucose can enter the cell. If there is no insulin, there is no key to open the doors, and glucose builds up in the blood stream and increases in concentration, often producing the symptoms we associate with hyperglycemia (thirst, hunger, excessive urination).