Type 1 Diabetes Prevention

At the present time, there is no method to avert Type 1 diabetes but studies are ongoing to explore ways to prevent diabetes especially in those who are mainly at risk to develop it. Others are also working on preventing any further damage to the islet cells in those who are newly diagnosed.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the Beta islet cells in the pancreas creating very little or no insulin. Those with Type 1 diabetes will need to be on insulin therapy for their entire lives and will need to frequently monitor blood glucose levels.

Type 1 diabetes is also referred to as juvenile diabetes as well as “insulin dependent” diabetes. Most of those diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes are usually diagnosed before the age of 20 years old with the majority of diagnosis being made between the ages of 9 to 14.

If you are newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes ask your doctor if you could be eligible for one of the many trials studies that are currently underway. TrialNet is a collaboration of researchers in diabetes who are conducting a natural history study to check for diabetes genes in parents, children and siblings of those people with Type-1 diabetes.

A vaccine has not been found to contribute to the prevention of Type 1 diabetes.

Those people who have Type 1 diabetes can help interrupt or prevent the growth of complications such as heart, eye, kidney, blood vessels, and nerve diseases by keeping blood glucose near normal at all times. They need regular medical visits in order to detect any early signs of complications. In many cases, if any problems are treated early, any damage can be stopped, slowed or even reversed.

Those people with other health troubles along with diabetes, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, need to take care of these conditions quickly in order to prevent complications. Not smoking can also reduce the risk of complications.

So, currently there is no prevention for Type 1 diabetes but early intervention can prevent some complications from developing.