Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps blood sugar enter the cells in the body for use as energy. Without insulin, blood sugar builds up in the bloodstream, which can cause damage to the body and lead to many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes was once called insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, but it can develop at any age.

Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction in which the body attacks itself by mistake, destroying the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Some people have certain genes that make them more likely to develop type 1 diabetes, but a trigger in the environment, such as a virus, may also play a part in developing the condition. Diet and lifestyle habits do not cause type 1 diabetes.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can develop in just a few weeks or months and can be severe. Some of the symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow healing of cuts and sores, and vaginal yeast infections. If you think you could have type 1 diabetes, it is important to see a doctor to get your blood sugar tested.

Type 1 diabetes can lead to serious health problems if not managed properly. Complications can include eye problems, foot problems, nerve damage, kidney damage, and cardiovascular disease. While there is no cure for type 1 diabetes, it can be treated successfully by managing blood sugar levels with insulin, diet, and lifestyle changes.