Understanding Type 1 Diabetes

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a sickness that affects how your body uses sugar (called glucose). Glucose is really important because it’s the energy your body needs to run, like how a car needs fuel to go!

When you eat food, your stomach breaks it down into smaller pieces, including glucose. This glucose goes into your blood, and your pancreas (a small organ near your stomach) helps by making insulin. Insulin is like a helper that takes glucose from your blood and brings it into your cells so your body has energy.

But in diabetes, your pancreas can’t make enough insulin, or it doesn’t work the right way. This means too much sugar stays in your blood, which can make you feel sick.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in kids. It happens when your body’s immune system gets confused and attacks the pancreas. The pancreas can’t make insulin anymore, so the sugar from food can’t get into your cells. This can happen quickly or over a few years.

Even though type 1 diabetes can’t be cured, it can be treated to help you feel better.

What Are the Signs of Type 1 Diabetes?

If you or someone else has type 1 diabetes, you might notice these things:

• Peeing a lot

  – You might need to go to the bathroom more often, even during the night.

• Feeling extra thirsty

  – You drink more water than usual because your body needs it.

• Feeling hungry a lot

  – Your body can’t use the sugar it needs for energy, so you feel extra hungry.

• Feeling really tired

  – Since your body doesn’t have enough sugar to give you energy, you feel more tired than usual.

• Losing weight

  – Your body starts using fat and muscle for energy because it can’t use sugar properly.

How Do You Treat Type 1 Diabetes?

If you have type 1 diabetes, you need to take insulin every day to help your body use the sugar you eat. You can get insulin with shots or through something called an insulin pump.

You also have to check your blood sugar during the day to make sure it’s not too high or too low. It’s very important to eat healthy foods and follow the doctor’s advice.

What Happens If You Don’t Treat Your Diabetes?

If you don’t take your insulin like the doctor says, your blood sugar can get too high, and that can make you feel really sick. Some signs that your blood sugar is too high are stomach aches, throwing up, feeling very tired, or even getting very sleepy (called a coma). This is called diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA, and it can be very dangerous.

That’s why it’s so important to take your insulin and follow your doctor’s advice!

Conclusion

Type 1 diabetes is a sickness that makes it hard for your body to use sugar for energy. If you don’t get enough insulin, sugar stays in your blood and can make you sick. Taking insulin shots, eating healthy foods, and checking your blood sugar helps you feel better and stay healthy. Make sure you always follow what your doctor says so you can stay strong!