healthyD.com (28/12/20) (in Chinese)
Types of Diabetes｜Does excessive sugar intake cause type 1 diabetes? Doctors explain the causes, symptoms, and treatments of type 1 diabetes
Hong Kong people generally have only a vague understanding of type 1 diabetes. Not only do they have misconceptions about this disease, such as “excessive sugar intake will lead to type 1 diabetes”, but they also don’t know what symptoms of type 1 diabetes occur. In order to dispel misunderstandings and raise awareness, we invited Dr. Wong Wai-chun to share knowledge about type 1 diabetes.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body cannot produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose from food enter cells to obtain energy. When a person eats, the pancreas releases the right amount of insulin to turn glucose into energy. Without insulin, glucose remains in the blood and cannot be absorbed by cells. The immune system of people with type 1 diabetes attacks the beta cells in the body that produce insulin, resulting in the body being unable to produce insulin completely. Type 1 diabetes is not triggered by a single cause. Anyone can have type 1 diabetes, regardless of lifestyle habits.
What are the treatment goals for type 1 diabetes?
The ultimate goal is to ensure that children with type 1 diabetes can live a happy, normal childhood like other children. Therefore, people with type 1 diabetes and their medical team must work together to monitor and maintain blood sugar levels before meals within the target range of 4-7 mmol/L. People with type 1 diabetes need to be treated with insulin, with most patients taking an average of at least 4 injections of artificial insulin per day so that glucose does not accumulate in the blood. Maintaining and controlling blood sugar within the target range is important to prevent complications, including:
- Ketoacidosis
- hypoglycemia
…and other complications caused by damage to large and small blood vessels, such as diabetic eyes, neurological, kidney and heart diseases and other long-term complications.
What is ketoacidosis?
Ketoacidosis occurs when blood sugar levels remain high for a long time. The patient’s body is severely deficient in insulin and cannot convert glucose into energy, so it breaks down fat instead. Ketones are released during the fat breakdown process, making the patient’s blood too acidic. About 40% of children and young people with type 1 diabetes are diagnosed with ketoacidosis when they go to the hospital emergency room. Knowing more about the symptoms of type 1 diabetes can help patients diagnose ketoacidosis before it occurs and receive appropriate treatment, reducing the chance of ketoacidosis.
What are the common symptoms of type 1 diabetes?
Symptoms of diabetes appear in the early stages of the disease, but it may take some time for most people to recognize them. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:
- Frequent urination – This is your body’s way of telling you that your kidneys are removing excess glucose from your blood.
- Thirst – Frequent urination may lead to dehydration ‧ Frequent fatigue and weakness
- Frequent hunger and sudden weight loss – not getting enough energy from food. This is a symptom of ketoacidosis and usually develops later.
- In severe cases, symptoms of ketoacidosis may occur, such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and lethargy.
Data provided by: Children’s Diabetes Association, Dr. Wong Wai-chun (Department of Paediatrics and Adolescents, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital)