Type-i Diabetes is when there is little to no insulin produced. This is believed to be caused by the autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in Islets of Langerhans of pancreas. Therefore, it is referred to as Autoimmune Diabetes. Another name of this disorder is Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM). An environmental event, such as a viral infection may trigger the destruction of the cells that are responsible for producing insulin in the human body. The risk of such a phenomenon may be increased in cases with a genetic history of the same.
Individuals with Type-i Diabetes are highly susceptible to a condition called Diabetic Ketoacidosis. If left untreated, this condition may lead to coma or death. Now, let’s look at the condition, Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Metabolism of fat results in the production of glycerol and free fatty acids, which in turn results in the production of usable energy. Fatty acids are converted to ketones, which result in the elevated ketone levels in body fluids and decreased pH levels. Large amounts of water along with ketones are excreted in the urine. Dehydration, due to excess urination, ketones accumulation, decreased pH, loss of electrolyte and bicarbonate buffer system alterations, results in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
This condition is traditionally termed as childhood-onset diabetes or juvenile diabetes because a majority of this diabetes mellitus cases are known to be found in Location: 21% 129 of 615 children. It can occur at any age, but most often it is diagnosed in children, teens, or young adults. The most common time for development of this type of diabetes is during puberty.