Type 1 Diabetes - By Christine L. Foutch
Dr. Christine Foutch is a holistic physician practicing in Rock Island, IL. The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative therapies to prevent disease, treat disease, and most importantly promote optimal health.
Juvenile-onset Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes often occurs during childhood and early adolescence, typically around 12 to 14 years of age. This is why Type 1 Diabetes was once called juvenile-onset diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes Causes
Genetics, immune system, and the environment causes Type 1 Diabetes. That prevents the pancreas from producing insulin. Without insulin, blood sugar levels rise dangerously high.
What is the Pancreas?
It is an organ that makes the hormone insulin and our enzymes for digestion. The pancreas is located behind the stomach. Insulin controls the amount of sugar in the blood.
Type 1 Diabetes Has Commonalities
Type 1 Diabetes is common in some families and ethnic groups. However, Type 1 Diabetes is considered to be an auto-immune disease where the pancreas stops producing insulin.
What is an Auto-immune Disease?
Auto-immune diseases are caused by the production of antibodies that attack and destroy their own tissues. Within Type 1 Diabetes, insulin-producing pancreatic cells are destroyed.
Pancreatic Beta-Cells
The appropriate function of the insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cells is very crucial for the regulation of glucose homeostasis, or preferably, glucose balance.
Cells Need Insulin To Have Glucose
Cells go forward and compensate for this lack of glucose by metabolizing fat, your energy reserves, and the protein from your muscles. This results in some rapid weight loss.
Ketone Formation
The buildup of ketones in the blood can bring on flu-like symptoms. If the situation is not corrected, this can lead to a life-threatening condition called Diabetic Keto-Acidosis.
