Type 1 Diabetes: Living with Insulin Daily

An autoimmune disease

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Without insulin, glucose cannot enter cells and accumulates in the blood. It accounts for 5-10% of diabetes cases and most often develops in children and young adults.

Warning signs

Onset is often sudden: intense thirst, abundant urination, rapid weight loss despite preserved appetite, extreme fatigue. Without treatment, diabetic ketoacidosis—a life-threatening emergency—can occur within hours.

Modern technologies

Insulin pumps deliver insulin continuously and automatically adjust doses thanks to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). Closed-loop systems ("artificial pancreases") combine pump and sensor to maintain blood sugar within target with minimal patient intervention.

Research and future

Islet cell transplantation, immunotherapy (teplizumab) to delay the onset of diabetes in at-risk individuals, and insulin-producing stem cells are actively explored avenues.