O MeA e tAtAU OnA e IlOA - Australian Diabetes Council

Types of diabetes - continued
Type 1 diabetes
This type of diabetes usually occurs in children and young people, but it can occur at any age.
In type 1 diabetes the body’s immune (defence) system has destroyed the cells that make
insulin. As a result no insulin is produced by the pancreas.
The development of type 1 diabetes is NOT linked to lifestyle e.g. eating too much sugar, not
exercising enough or being overweight.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually happen very quickly and include:
• Feeling very thirsty
• Passing a lot of urine frequently
• Sudden weight loss (despite normal or increased appetite)
• Tiredness
• Generally feeling unwell
• Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
• Mood changes.
If undetected, blood glucose levels become very high. When the body cannot get enough
glucose from the blood to use as energy it will begin to breakdown fat. When the body is
breaking down too much fat, ketones are produced. High ketone levels and high blood glucose
levels are very serious and need immediate medical treatment.
If untreated, the person will become very ill and may develop:
• Rapid or deep breathing
• Dehydration and vomiting, leading to
• Coma.
The treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin which must be commenced immediately and
must be taken for life. The management of type 1 diabetes also includes:
• Balancing exercise, food and insulin
• Regular blood glucose monitoring
• Healthy lifestyle.
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