Type 1 diabetes

Cards (10)

  • Is an autoimmune condition where the immune cells are activated to produce antibodies against insulin and/or the B cells in the Islets of Langerhans
  • As the insulin and beta cells become destroyed, the affected individual cannot produce and release sufficient insulin to control their blood glucose levels 
  • Type 1 diabetics have elevated blood glucose levels after consuming carbohydrates because the body's cells cannot be stimulated to take up glucose from the blood
  • The cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown but some cases can be inherited and other can be caused by a pathogenic infection triggering an autoimmune response 
  • Type 1 diabetes is not caused by poor lifestyle choices and cannot be prevented
  • Because type 1 diabetes can still respond to insulin, they can be treated with insulin injections 
  • The injections are generally administered prior to meals and contain a mixture of rapid acting and long lasting insulin 
  • Insulin cannot be taken orally because it is a peptide hormone( protein) that would be digested in the gastrointestinal tract
  • Cause: An autoimmune condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas 
  • Result: little to no insulin production. High blood glucose levels as glucose cannot enter cells