Type 1 Diabetes And Its Risk Factors

Type 1 diabetes, which is also known as insulin dependent diabetes is mostly found among kids and teenagers, and in rare instances, among adults also. Hence it is also known as juvenile diabetes. It is a difficult condition seen among younger children when the pancreas unable to produce an enough amount of insulin, or in sometimes absolutely no insulin. Insulin is a necessary hormone that controls the flow of sugar or glucose to enter cells to produce energy. In the absence of that insulin has to be inserted from outside.

Type1 diabetes is a cause of concern among kids as there is no permanent cure for this disease and some experts even say, life expectancy becomes lower among such patients. But with the advancement in medical science, effective treatments are available to manage type 1 diabetes. Now type 1 diabetes kids can effectively cope with the condition and live a normal healthy lifespan. After much research, experts say no any single factor can be held responsible for type 1 diabetes. A combination of factors is responsible in the occurrence of diabetes in such an early age. Researchers are still trying to discover new possibilities which may cause type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

Family history

Any children with a family history of diabetes, whether any one among the parents or siblings have a greater risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Through parents, genes are transferred to their children. Though it is not a strong factor, yet chances are higher so knowing more about diabetes care is a must to be on the safer side.

Genetic reasons

Recent research says there are certain type of genes which can cause diabetes type Now advanced medical technology even claim that such genes can be removed to prevent type 1 diabetes. They say if someone has a family history or any such genes, they will be put under genetic testing to determine if they will have chances to develop the disease later.

Geographical factors

Medical experts say, diabetes cases are mostly seen in the regions which are away from the equator. Highest number of incidences of diabetes is noticed among People residing in Finland and Sardinia rather than people in the United States and in Venezuela.

Viral exposure

If a child is exposed to certain viruses, like mumps virus and others, infection sets in the immune system which ultimately destroys the insulin-making cells in the pancreas. It is known as an autoimmune reaction. So virus infected children are at risk.

Excessive consumption of dairy products

Excessive drinking of cow’s milk in the early days may be a possible factor as it contains a common source of vitamin D which is known to be a responsible for type 1 diabetes. One very significant factor is that the timing of introduction of cereal into a baby’s diet can also trigger the risk. Clinical research has found that the best age to start feeding cereals is between 3 to 7 months. The risk is present in drinking water also, if it contains nitrates.

Some least known factors

Some other possible factors are there on which research is going on to determine their role in type 1 diabetes. They are-

  • Children having a young mother who gives birth to them at the age of below 25 years.
  • Those children which were born with jaundice.
  • Those having a respiratory infection post birth.