Unknown face of Diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes

Almost 18 years back, a 9 year old child visited my clinic. This child was looking visibly sick and I was probably fourth successive doctor to be consulted. The child’s father asked me, “My daughter has diabetes. Doctor, Can you treat her without insulin?” My instant reply was “No”. He immediately took his child and left my clinic. In retrospect, I should have explained about this child and Type 1 Diabetes to her father. His question was straightforward - if people with diabetes can be treated by tablets why not my daughter? The sole problem is the lack of social awareness regarding this entity known as ‘Type 1 Diabetes’. Type 1 Diabetes is quite di erent from commonly existing diabetes in society i.e. ‘Type 2 Diabetes’. Only 5 to 8 out of hundred diabetics are Type 1 Diabetics. This form of diabetes is usually developed during childhood. The peak occurrence happens between the ages of 10-14. However, the actual range is from 5-20 years. The onset is usually sudden. People with Type 1 Diabetes usually experience sudden weight loss, increased urination, and extreme weakness. They also experience breathlessness, abdomen pain and bouts of unconsciousness. They are extremely insulin deficient. Therefore, Insulin, the blood sugar lowering hormone is required when somebody is diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. People often asked me, that if they develop diabetes at such an early age, do they live long enough? As long as their blood sugar is controlled, they live as long and happy lives as anyone else. The family has a major role to play in managing these children/adults. Education and awareness plays a very vital role in handling them. The close family members need to understand the basic problem here. They need to understand that no insulin is being formed in the body - thus it needs to be replaced from the outside. For most parents, it is a very painful thought that my child will always be on insulin. Having understood this basic fact, eases the job of family and doctor. People stop uselessly looking for alternate options like herbal medicine or oral allopathic anti-diabetic tablets. Using insulin is the only way they can be treated. And not only Insulin but also regular blood sugar monitoring in order to alter the insulin doses is a mandatory requirement. Food is another issue that makes people anxious. The fact is that they can eat everything, but in restricted amounts. They need to invest time in understanding the glycemic index and the carbohydrate count of food, and this makes life easy. Another thing many people ask, is if they are fit for marriage? Yes, both males and females with diabetes are fit to get married. The males with diabetes are fit to have a normal relationship and females with diabetes are fit to bear a child. The only underlying theme here is that blood sugar must remain controlled. Kidneys, eyes, nerves and heart are only a ected if blood sugar is uncontrolled. Society needs to understand Type 1 Diabetes. People with Type 1 Diabetes may take up any profession of their liking (other than pilots, armed forces and railway drivers). They need insulin from the beginning and need a little extra care in terms of monitoring and dietary regulations. But they are not “sick” people. Awareness regarding diabetes and the execution of that knowledge in day to day life is the key to control blood sugar and a normal life.