diabetic stuff

[sunflower68]

Has anyone got a clue why my hubbie could have contracted type 1 diabetes last year?! I know its a long shot and there are many theories, but could he have been born with inadequate insulin that was to 'run out' one day?  I'd be really interested to know any ideas you well-informed bunch have, ta. 

[tracymort]

i believe with type 1 there's no official answer, but the belief is a virus could trigger the detruction of insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Some kind of autoimmune response i guess. Vaccination has been linked to it too. I do know that being breastfed as a baby lowers the risk of developing it.

[OBonio]

My brother has type 1 and he got it when he was 2. I think it's generally more of a young person's problem. Older people generally get type 2 which can be diet controlled or controlled with tablets.

As far as I know, it's nothing to do with 'running out' of insulin. The pancreas just packs in or just doesn't function well enough.

As for why, no-one knows though there can be genetic links.

This may help :

http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/type1.asp

[OBonio]

Actually, that's Canadian. This is the UK charity for diabetes (used to be the BDA, but maybe the dentists assoc. got confusing).

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/home.htm

They're very good.

[Bangkok]

I am a type 1 diabetic, and I can assure you it is not because his insulin has run out.  Type 1 means the pancreas stops producing insulin (although it may be over a period of time), and so insulin needs to be injected.

The causes are not definite, but Type 1 tends to be genetic (any family history?) and although someone might carry the gene that causes diabetes, it may never be triggered.  Trigger events seem random, but may include viral infections.

If you search on the keyword 'diebetes' in body and soul, there is lots of advice on diabetic foods (generally to be avoided as not worth the money), injecting (pinch the skin first, less painful), testing (a good thing) and eating (a healthy rather than carb free diet)