Type 1 Diabetes Facts

Type 1 OR Juvenile Diabetes is a non-preventable, autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.  It is the most sever form of diabetes, striking infants, children and young adults, leaving them insulin-dependent for life.  Over 200,000 Canadians have type 1 diabetes.  While the causes of this disease are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic and environmental triggers are involved.

It is the leading cause of life threatening and debilitating complications, such as blindness, end stage kidney disease, nerve damage, heart attack, stroke, amputation and even death.  The Ontario Government just released figures stating that more people die per year from diabetes than breast cancer.  Diabetes is a leading cause of death by disease in Canada.  The number of people living with type 1 is increasing by 3-5% annually.  The greatest rise is in children aged 5-9 years of age.

A child living with type 1 requires approximately 1,463 needles a year (bases on 4 per day) and 2,190 finger pokes a year to test their blood sugar.  Living with type 1 diabetes means living a very structured lifestyle in order to adequately regulate blood sugar and avoid complications.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:

Extreme thirst

Frequent urination

Sudden vision change

Fruity, sweet or wine-like odour on breath

Increased appetite

Sudden weight loss

Drowsiness, lethargy

Heavy, labored  breathing

Stupor, unconsciousness

This information was taken for the JDRF