Diabetes 101
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What is Type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes was previously known as “insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus,”
(IDDM) or “juvenile diabetes.” Type 1 diabetes is a life-long condition that
occurs when the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells
in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no
insulin. Without insulin, the body is not able to use glucose for energy. To
treat the disease, a person must inject insulin, as well as try to follow a
diet plan, exercise daily, and test blood sugar several times a day.
Who Gets Type 1 Diabetes?
Up to 100,000 people in Canada are estimated to have type 1 diabetes, with about 3,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Type 1 diabetes is much less common than type 2, however, consisting of only 7% to 10% of all cases of diabetes. Although the disease usually starts in people under the age of 30, type 1 diabetes may occur at any age. The disease is relatively uncommon, affecting 1 in 250 Canadians.
Diabetes is not contagious - you can't catch it from another person. Once a person has it, it doesn't go away, but it can be controlled.
Diabetes occurs in people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, and equally in men and women. However, Caucasian people are at greater risk of developing type 1 diabetes, whereas Native-American, Hispanic, and African-American people have a greater risk of getting type 2 diabetes.