If properly controlled type 1 diabetes should not affect life expectancy, however individuals with the condition do require a great deal more discipline than those without the disease. On average life expectancy of type 1 sufferers is reduced by up to ten years, and yet the most common cause of reduced life expectancy in those with type 1 diabetes is due to incorrect treatment or insufficient control. With the proper control individuals with the condition can often expect to live a full life.
A normal level of insulin is crucial to allow the body's cells to absorb glucose [found in sweet and starchy foods] thereby maintaining a normal level of blood sugar. Superfluous amounts of glucose in the blood can lead to a damaged cardiovascular system causing permanent blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and in some cases death. If an individual has diabetes insulin levels will have to be controlled artificially.
Those with type 1 diabetes are at a greater risk of cardiovascular related disease than those without due uncontrolled glucose levels adversely affecting the lining of the arteries and blood vessels. With narrowed arteries comes a greater risk of blockage and therefore increased chance of heart attack if near the heart or stroke if near the brain. To help avoid this, diabetics should have their blood pressure measured at least once per year and have their urine tested for protein to check for potential kidney problems.
Current treatments for type 1 diabetes are compulsory daily insulin injections, a strict diet and often a good physical exercise regime. It is also recommended that those with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes go for regular check-ups to measure their blood glucose levels and check the levels of protein in the urine to determine any early signs of kidney failure.
Issues that affect life expectancy in type 1 diabetics are often avoidable when the diabetes is dealt with rather than ignored. Similar to conditions such as asthma or any controllable illness, the sooner the diabetes is diagnosed and the healthier the lifestyle the person leads, the better. The tighter the rein the individual maintains on type 1 diabetes more often than not determines the life expectancy they can look forward to.
A normal level of insulin is crucial to allow the body's cells to absorb glucose [found in sweet and starchy foods] thereby maintaining a normal level of blood sugar. Superfluous amounts of glucose in the blood can lead to a damaged cardiovascular system causing permanent blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and in some cases death. If an individual has diabetes insulin levels will have to be controlled artificially.
Those with type 1 diabetes are at a greater risk of cardiovascular related disease than those without due uncontrolled glucose levels adversely affecting the lining of the arteries and blood vessels. With narrowed arteries comes a greater risk of blockage and therefore increased chance of heart attack if near the heart or stroke if near the brain. To help avoid this, diabetics should have their blood pressure measured at least once per year and have their urine tested for protein to check for potential kidney problems.
Current treatments for type 1 diabetes are compulsory daily insulin injections, a strict diet and often a good physical exercise regime. It is also recommended that those with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes go for regular check-ups to measure their blood glucose levels and check the levels of protein in the urine to determine any early signs of kidney failure.
Issues that affect life expectancy in type 1 diabetics are often avoidable when the diabetes is dealt with rather than ignored. Similar to conditions such as asthma or any controllable illness, the sooner the diabetes is diagnosed and the healthier the lifestyle the person leads, the better. The tighter the rein the individual maintains on type 1 diabetes more often than not determines the life expectancy they can look forward to.
