Type 1 Diabetes

• What is diabetes?

  A disease in which a person is unable to metabolise carbohydrates such as glucose.
• What is diabetes caused by?

  The lack of or loss of response to insulin.
• What does type 1 diabetes result in?

  The body not being able to produce insulin.
• What is type 1 diabetes a result of?

  An autoimmune response whereby the body's immune system attacks its own beta cells of the islets of Langerhans.
• What is type 1 diabetes controlled by?

  Injections of insulin.
• Why can't insulin be taken through the mouth?

  It would be digested as it is a protein.
• How long does type 1 diabetes take to develop?

  Very quickly, over a few weeks.
• Why must the dose of insulin be matched exactly to the glucose intake?

  As too much insulin may result in unconsciousness.
• What is done to ensure the correct dose of insulin is taken?

  The blood glucose concentration is monitored by biosensors.
• What is type 1 diabetes referred to as?

  Insulin dependent diabetes.