Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Learn how it differs from type 2, why early detection matters, and what new treatments like teplizumab and stem cell therapy are changing the game.
When your body can’t make type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Also known as juvenile diabetes, it’s not caused by diet or lifestyle—it’s a medical reality that requires daily management. Unlike type 2, where the body resists insulin, type 1 means zero insulin production. That means every meal, every workout, every stress-filled day requires careful planning. Without insulin, your body can’t turn sugar into energy. Instead, it starts breaking down fat, which can lead to a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, a buildup of acidic ketones in the blood due to insulin deficiency.
Managing type 1 diabetes isn’t just about taking insulin. It’s about understanding how your body reacts to food, activity, sleep, and even illness. Many people use insulin pumps or multiple daily injections, but newer tools are changing the game. Drugs like SGLT2 inhibitors, medications that help the kidneys remove excess sugar through urine are being studied for use in type 1, even though they were originally designed for type 2. They can lower blood sugar and reduce insulin doses—but they come with a risk: euDKA, a form of diabetic ketoacidosis that happens even when blood sugar looks normal. That’s why monitoring ketones is now part of the routine for many.
Insulin isn’t the only thing on your radar. You also need to watch for kidney issues, nerve damage, and heart risks—all common long-term complications if blood sugar stays high. That’s why so many people with type 1 diabetes also manage conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. And while there’s no cure yet, research is moving fast. Newer insulins act faster, last longer, and cause fewer lows. Continuous glucose monitors tell you where your sugar is going, not just where it is. And for some, islet cell transplants are offering a path to insulin independence.
What you’ll find below isn’t just a list of articles. It’s a collection of real, practical insights from people living with this condition and the doctors who treat it. You’ll see how SGLT2 inhibitors are being used cautiously in type 1, why some patients end up in the ER with ketoacidosis despite normal readings, and how medication choices like saxagliptin or other DPP-4 inhibitors might play a role in combination therapy. You’ll also find guidance on diet, monitoring, and avoiding dangerous drug interactions—all written without fluff, without jargon, and without guesswork.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Learn how it differs from type 2, why early detection matters, and what new treatments like teplizumab and stem cell therapy are changing the game.
Health and Wellness
