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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy. Type 2 diabetes, which is far more common, occurs when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or doesn't make enough insulin.

Various factors may contribute to type 1 diabetes, including genetics and exposure to certain viruses. Although type 1 diabetes typically appears during adolescence, it can develop at any age.

Despite active research, type 1 diabetes has no cure, though it can be managed. With proper treatment, people who have type 1 diabetes can expect to live longer, more healthy lives than in the past.

Symptoms
References
  1. Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch158/ch158b.html#sec12-ch158-ch158b-1105. Accessed April 2, 2009.
  2. Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2009. Alexandria, Va.: American Diabetes Association. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/reprint/32/Supplement_1/S13. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  3. Eisenbarth GS, et al. Pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home.index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
  4. Gillespie KM. Type 1 diabetes: Pathogenesis and prevention. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2006;175. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/article/body/115743848-3/jorg=journal&source=MI&sp=163/jorg=journal&source=MI&sp=16. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  5. Heart disease and stroke statistics — 2009 update. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/123565990943909Heart%20and%20Stroke%20Update.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  6. Your guide to diabetes: Type 1 and type 2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/index.htm. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  7. What people with diabetes need to know about osteoporosis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  8. Jovanavic L. Successful pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes: From preconception through postpartum care. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America. 2006;35:79.
  9. Bainbridge KE. Diabetes and hearing impairment in the United States: Audiometric evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2004. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2008;149:1.
  10. Estimated average glucose, eAG. American Diabetes Association. http://professional.diabetes.org/GlucoseCalculator.aspx. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  11. Pfizer statement on Exubera labeling update in the United States. Pfizer.com. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  12. About omnipod. Omnipod.com. http://www.myomnipod.com/products/. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  13. Symlin (prescribing information). San Diego, Calif.: Amylin Pharmaceuticals; 2008.
  14. Diabetes and women's sexual health. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/women-sexual-health.jsp. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  15. Hypoglycemia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/hypoglycemia/index.htm. Accessed April 2, 2009.
  16. Diabetes and employment. Alexandria, Va.: American Diabetes Association. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/32/Supplement_1/S80. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  17. Robertson RP. Pancreas and islet transplantation in diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home.index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  18. Voltarelli J, et al. Autologous nonmyeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2007;297:1568.
  19. Havas S, et al. Tight control of type 1 diabetes: Recommendations for patients. American Family Physician. 2006;74:971.
  20. The dangerous toll of diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/dangerous-toll.jsp. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  21. High blood sugar: Definition, symptoms. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=EC92D98E-1321-C844-13EB771367A49526. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  22. Smoking. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/smoking.jsp. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  23. TrialNet studies. TrialNet. http://www.diabetestrialnet.org/patientinfo/studies.htm. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  24. Collazo-Clavell ML (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. April 14, 2009.
  25. International Expert Committee. International Expert Committee report on the role of the A1C assay in the diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009;32:1.

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June 13, 2009

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