Type 1 Diabetes: Basic principles

In this section, we have information on the disease, the symptoms and the development of type 1 diabetes.

A brief overview of the basics:

Type 1 diabetes is the most common metabolic disease in children. The disease usually breaks out during puberty, between the ages of 10 and 15. But it can manifest at any age.

Type 1 diabetes develops when the body’s immune system attacks certain cells in the pancreas. These cells are tasked with producing the essential hormone insulin. Without insulin, the blood glucose level rises, which means treatment with insulin is essential for survival after the onset of the disease.

Unlike type 2 diabetes, personal lifestyle does not play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes. The cause of the autoimmune disease is much rather suspected to be environmental. Type 1 diabetes can also be inherited.