Juvenile/Type 1 Diabetes

What is type 1 diabetes?

• Type 1 diabetes is also known as diabetes mellitus.
• Mostly appears in children, though can occur at any age.
• Is an auto-immune disease marked by the inability to produce insulin.
• The insulin producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the body and insulin is no longer produced.
• Insulin injections are required for the body to process sugar into energy.
• Is a life-long condition to which there is no cure yet.

• Extreme thirst
• Weight loss
• Constant hunger
• Frequent urination
• Tiredness
• Blurred vision
• Nausea/ vomiting

Treatment of type 1 diabetes

• Control blood sugar levels to keep as close to a normal range as possible.
• Regular testing of blood sugar levels
• Insulin injections up to four times a day.

It is important to closely monitor blood sugar levels so that hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar level) and hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) do no occur.

Facts about the incidence of diabetes in Australia (Diabetes: Australian Facts 2008)

• 700,000 people were diagnosed with diabetes in Australia in 2005.
• Approx 15% of these have type 1 diabetes.
• It is estimated that for every diagnosed case of diabetes there is one undiagnosed case.
• If left unchecked 1 in 14 adults or 380 million people worldwide will have diabetes by 2025 (International

Untreated diabetes can lead to complications involving many parts of the body, particularly the heart, kidneys, eyes and feet. In Australia diabetes is the most common reason for renal dialysis and the most common cause for blindness.

We need to find a cure for type 1 diabetes soon......

• Continuing to support the Centre for Diabetes Research in Perth.
• Funding research into all aspects of diabetes including complications and the psychological issues of living with diabetes
• Providing support for young researchers in WA

For further information please contact
Sherl Westlund
P: 08 9224 1006
E: sherl@diabetesresearchfoundation.asn.au