Type 1 diabetes formerly known as juvenile diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease, in which the body produces little to no insulin. The human body requires carbohydrates that are turned into glucose for energy. Insulin is what regulates this inside the human body. Without the natural presence of insulin your blood glucose level rise to a dangerous level. Type 1 diabetes is thought to be genetic and is triggered by unknown outside factors. Most people with type 1 will be diagnosed as a child or young adult. However, it is possible to develop later in life. Diabetics must constantly monitor their BG levels. However, with the discovery of insulin type 1 diabetics can now live a long and full life.
When your BG get to high you’re at risk for what is called Diabetic Ketoacidosis or DKA. This is a serious condition where the level of acids called ketones begins to rise and your blood becomes acidic. If left untreated by insulin a diabetic that slips into DKA will die. Many diabetics like my son are not diagnosed until they have an incident of DKA. DKA is very serious and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of DKA are: