Type 1 Diabetes
Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 14.4.13
Diabetes
People who have diabetes cannot successfully control their blood glucose levels. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cells in the body either produce little or no insulin.
Timeline
- Type 1 diabetes develops during childhood.
- We do not know what causes type 1 diabetes, but we think that the body's immune system attacks the pancreas cells.
Symptoms
- Feeling very thirsty.
- More frequent urination.
- Feeling of tiredness and fatigue.
- Weight loss.
- Blurred vision.
- Slow healing of wounds.
Treatment
- The main treatment is to inject insulin when blood glucose levels rise too high.
- Sufferers can also:
- Control their carbohydrate intake to prevent their blood glucose levels rising too high.
- Exercise regularly to remove excess glucose from the bloodstream.
Test yourself on Type 1 Diabetes
Which of the following is a form of treatment for type 1 diabetes?