Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 is an emerging epidemic. The disease is a chronic autoimmune condition in which a person’s pancreas does not produce insulin, a hormone that allows energy to metabolize from food. The disease occurs when the person’s immune system attacks and destroys the pancreatic beta cells causing insufficient release of insulin into the blood. There are currently 1.25 million Americans that are living with T1D Mellitus, with about 20 percent of them being children. [1] Type 1 diabetes can be controlled to an extent through proper diet, exercise, insulin injections and blood glucose monitoring. Maintaining normal blood glucose levels will slow the progression of any chronic complications of this disease. Most ailments stem from
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About 66% of type 1 diabetics have some form of neuropathy. [4] Diabetic neuropathy occurs in the peripheral nervous system which affects the afferent and efferent pathways of both the autonomic and somatic nervous systems. Neuropathies in the autonomic nervous system can negatively affect every body system. Complications such as incontinence, impotence, decreased tolerance to exercise and gastroparesis. This will interfere with the body’s constant functions to maintain homeostasis. Hyperglycemia causes depletion of nerve endings and well as induced oxidative stress which activates large amounts of protein kinase C. This is linked to substantial vascular damage, which will restrict blood flow in the nerves. The most common form of neuropathy in diabetics is distal symmetrical polyneuropathy. Large fiber neuropathy is painless paresthesia with inhibited touch and pressure sensations, loss of ankle reflex and other classifications. This is the result of slow nerve conduction. This type of neuropathy impairs daily activities which will eventually decrease one’s quality of life. Small fiber neuropathy is associated with a pain and burning sensation, as well an inhibition of pain and temperature sensations. This is also known as autonomic neuropathy. This type of neuropathy results in mortality. Neuropathies progress as diabetes progresses. Like most long term chronic complications from type 1 diabetes, this can be alleviated with blood …show more content…
One of the most common is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). While only short term, it is one of the most life threatening. This condition is a combination of hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, and ketonuria. DKA is a state of complete insulin deficiency intensified by severely high blood glucose levels, dehydration, and acid producing imbalances during metabolism [5]. This type of hormonal imbalance enhances glycogenesis and gluconeogenesis. These metabolize glucose for use as an energy source; which results in even higher blood glucose levels. These imbalances also enhance lipolysis which increases fatty acids in abnormal levels to provide energy for the cells. This eventually leads to ketogenesis, which is the production of ketones and increased ketones in the blood. If one fails to treat ketoacidosis, it can lead to sudden death, heart failure, or coma. This complication is the most common cause of death in people with type 1 diabetes under the age of 40. It has also been found that those who have been admitted for DKA are 2764 times more likely to die in the following 21 months than others with diabetes without any episodes of diabetes.
About 66% of type 1 diabetics have some form of neuropathy. [4] Diabetic neuropathy occurs in the peripheral nervous system which affects the afferent and efferent pathways of both the autonomic and somatic nervous systems. Neuropathies in the autonomic nervous system can negatively affect every body system. Complications such as incontinence, impotence, decreased tolerance to exercise and gastroparesis. This will interfere with the body’s constant functions to maintain homeostasis. Hyperglycemia causes depletion of nerve endings and well as induced oxidative stress which activates large amounts of protein kinase C. This is linked to substantial vascular damage, which will restrict blood flow in the nerves. The most common form of neuropathy in diabetics is distal symmetrical polyneuropathy. Large fiber neuropathy is painless paresthesia with inhibited touch and pressure sensations, loss of ankle reflex and other classifications. This is the result of slow nerve conduction. This type of neuropathy impairs daily activities which will eventually decrease one’s quality of life. Small fiber neuropathy is associated with a pain and burning sensation, as well an inhibition of pain and temperature sensations. This is also known as autonomic neuropathy. This type of neuropathy results in mortality. Neuropathies progress as diabetes progresses. Like most long term chronic complications from type 1 diabetes, this can be alleviated with blood …show more content…
One of the most common is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). While only short term, it is one of the most life threatening. This condition is a combination of hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, and ketonuria. DKA is a state of complete insulin deficiency intensified by severely high blood glucose levels, dehydration, and acid producing imbalances during metabolism [5]. This type of hormonal imbalance enhances glycogenesis and gluconeogenesis. These metabolize glucose for use as an energy source; which results in even higher blood glucose levels. These imbalances also enhance lipolysis which increases fatty acids in abnormal levels to provide energy for the cells. This eventually leads to ketogenesis, which is the production of ketones and increased ketones in the blood. If one fails to treat ketoacidosis, it can lead to sudden death, heart failure, or coma. This complication is the most common cause of death in people with type 1 diabetes under the age of 40. It has also been found that those who have been admitted for DKA are 2764 times more likely to die in the following 21 months than others with diabetes without any episodes of diabetes.