Diabetes Mellitus of all types can be very complicated diseases, but type 1 can be the most challenging and least understood at times. Although it is extremely important for these patients to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, any long-term damage seems to generally occur in about a year or so in reference to type 1 diabetic patients. It seems the earlier the diagnoses the sooner complications may occur. In one study it was found that older individuals with Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 have more health complications due to a lack of choosing positive gains in health and have more of a tendency towards risk seeking behavior. Mid-life individuals seem to be making better gains into maintaining their health than the later.
Recently German doctors have successfully used an implant that contains insulin-producing cells that does not require using immunosuppressant drugs in order to keep the body from attacking what it recognizes as foreign bodies. The construction of the device, a special chamber system, prevents such attacks on these implanted cells it seems. This new discovery needs further study and refinement because it only improves the health of Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 patients only on a moderate level right now. A possible method researchers have been looking into is to place the device deeper into the abdomen and by adding more of these special insulin-producing cells.
Chronic heart failure is a huge factor that Diabetes Mellitus patients need to be aware of. Especially when dealing with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, as these patients have a higher rate with heart problems due to their earlier diagnoses from the lack of insulin production the body needs to function appropriately. About 25% of patients in many diabetic studies have problems with a reduced left ventricle fraction, which in turn can require them to obtain further medication needs and even possible heart pacemakers. Sadly, even with device and medication therapy, the mortality rate of diabetics is still high.
Another concern for diabetic patients is that this disease comes with a higher indicator of liver problems. The risks include developing hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis, and encephalopathy. Due to these concerns, researchers and doctors are implying the use of different early screening methods in order to catch problems before they become severe, including earlier interventions for those who already have liver disease.
There are also many myths people actually believe when it comes down to understanding diabetes and the co-morbid complications that may occur. Some people think that diabetes is caused when people become overweight, but with type 1 diabetes the later is actually true with some patients having trouble keeping weight on at times. Diet and exercise will not help treat many cases of diabetes, especially type 1, but it is recommended that patients adopt healthier diets and exercise in order to maintain a better state of health and well-being. Some people think fruit is a wiser decision for diabetic patients, but in reality it is not. When rationed appropriately with other foods, fruit is a wonderful vitamin and mineral source, but diabetics need to be aware of which ones have a very high glycemic index such as watermelon. Then of course some people actually believe this disease is not that bad. Considering that Type 1 diabetics do have their life span shortened to about 5 to 7 years compared to healthy individuals, this is not the case. Many complications arise due to health conditions Type 1 Diabetics deal with. The body is literally attacked by their immune system that irreversible damage occurs to the nervous system and many organs, in which can lead to life threatening conditions all around.
By Tina Elliott
