Type 1 diabetes mellitus (previously known as juvenile-onset diabetes) affects approximately 1 in 400 children, adolescent and young adults under the age of 20 years. These individuals cannot produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood glucose due to antibody mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells
Insulin is a critical hormone that is needed to regulate blood glucose and generate energy from the food we eat. There is a lot of research being done for future management with bionic pancreas and pancreatic transplants, but current management is still daily subcutaneous insulin delivery.
Early Symptoms:
- Increasing hunger
- Increasing thirst
- Increasing urination
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
Late Symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Altered mental status
- Hyperventilation