What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s own immune system mistakenly destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, cells throughout the body cannot take up energy from glucose, which leads to health complications such as high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and long-term damage to nerves, vision, and vital organs.
Although T1D typically appears during childhood or adolescence, anyone can be at risk. According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 1.25 million Americans are living with T1D and 40,000 will be newly diagnosed each year.
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure or methods of prevention for type 1 diabetes.
Sources:
https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/about/facts/
https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/about/
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/
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