Type-1 diabetes
Type-1 diabetes is a form of diabetes that particularly affects children and young adults (under the age of 40). It accounts for less than 10 % of cases.
Type-1 diabetes is characterised by the inability to produce insulin. The immune system of a person with diabetes destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that would otherwise be producing insulin. This is what causes hyperglycaemia.
People living with type-1 diabetes therefore depend on daily insulin injections to lower their blood sugar levels.
Causes
It is not known exactly what causes the immune system to attack the beta cells that produce insulin. Researchers think that the development of type-1 diabetes could be due to a genetic predisposition in combination with certain environmental factors.
Treatment
Type 1 diabetes must be treated with insulin.
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