Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, lifelong condition that
affects your bodys ability to use the energy found in food.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent
diabetes. It used to be called juvenile-onset diabetes, because it often
begins in childhood.
Type
1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. Its caused by the body attacking its
own pancreas with antibodies. In people with type 1 diabetes, the damaged
pancreas doesnt make insulin.
This type of diabetes may be caused by a genetic predisposition. It could also
be the result of faulty beta cells in the pancreas that normally produce
insulin.
A number of medical risks are associated with type 1
diabetes. Many of them cause diabetic
retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy and diabetic
nephropathy. Even more serious is the increased risk of heart disease and
stroke.
Treatment for type 1 diabetes involves taking insulin,
which needs to be injected through the skin into the fatty tissue
