Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune condition that affects roughly 5-10% of all diabetics around the world. More commonly known as juvenile diabetes, and insulin-dependent diabetes, this disease can wreak havoc on a person’s immune system, and can lead to many life-changing events. Most type 1 diabetics are diagnosed under the age of 30, but it is becoming more common to find adults being diagnosed over the age of 30. Many attribute the development of type 1 diabetes to genetics, and environmental triggers. Although this disease can cause damage to various systems within the body, it is a very manageable and treatable disease that allows for a prolonged life of a type 1 diabetic.
Pathophysiology
Type 1 diabetes is …show more content…
The first stage is that of genetic susceptibility for the patient. Some patients have a familial genetic predisposition, while others have no one in their family with the disease. The second stage is that of an environmental trigger causing the body to start the creation of autoantibodies. Many attribute the environmental trigger to viruses (specifically coxsackieviruses and enteroviruses), bacteria, and other environmental triggers such as exposure to cow’s milk, wheat proteins, and vitamin D (Van Belle, Coppieters, & Von Herrath, 2011). The third stage is that of the presence of autoantibodies against islet cell antigens, which allow the patient to maintain normal blood glucose levels and normal insulin release functioning. The fourth stage is that of the progressive loss of insulin release as the autoimmune response increases due to the four different types of autoantibodies being created in the patient’s body. At this stage, the patient’s blood glucose levels are still considered normal and unaltered. The fifth stage is that of the patient starting to experience hyperglycemia due to the breakdown of beta cells by the autoantibodies. This stage allows for the detection of C-peptides in the …show more content…
However, many other signs and symptoms may arise depending on the patient, and what severity the disease has reached before diagnosis. Often times, patients are in diabetic ketoacidosis before their diagnosis is made. In addition to, and compounding on to the 3 P’s, bedwetting in a previously dry child, excessive fatigue, unintentional weight loss, irritability, blurred vision, constipation due to dehydration, fruity breath, lethargy, and sugar in the urine are common symptoms found with a type 1 diabetes diagnosis (Dowling,