Type 1 Diabetes

Symptoms usually appear over weeks and are more dramatic than in type 2: intense thirst, constant urination, sudden unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, blurred vision, fruity-smelling breath, and — if untreated — nausea, vomiting, deep rapid breathing, and confusion (diabetic ketoacidosis, a medical emergency). Any child or young adult with these symptoms needs a same-day sugar test.

Yes — for life. In type 1, the pancreas has stopped producing insulin, and there is no oral tablet that can replace it. Most people use a combination of a long-acting insulin once or twice a day plus rapid-acting insulin before meals. Some use an insulin pump that delivers continuous insulin through a small device. Skipping insulin causes ketoacidosis within hours — this is not a medication one can 'try to stop'.

Absolutely. Children and teens with type 1 attend school, play sports, take exams, and grow up as their peers do — with the added routine of checking sugars, counting carbs, and dosing insulin. Schools should be informed and supportive; a diabetes-educator-led plan for meals, PE, and hypoglycemia response makes a huge difference. Adults with type 1 marry, have children, and work in every profession. The goal is normal life, not a restricted one.

Hypoglycemia (blood sugar below 70 mg/dL) is the most common side effect of insulin. Early signs: shakiness, sweating, hunger, palpitations, irritability, difficulty concentrating. Treat immediately with 15 grams of quick sugar — half a glass of juice, three glucose tablets, or a tablespoon of honey — then recheck in 15 minutes. Severe hypoglycemia with confusion or loss of consciousness needs glucagon or emergency help. Everyone with type 1 (and family/friends) should know these steps cold.

Continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps have transformed type 1 care globally, and both are increasingly available in India (major cities, at real cost — CGM ~₹5,000-8,000/month, pumps ~₹1.5-3 lakh upfront). They aren't required for good control — many people do very well with multiple daily injections and finger-prick monitoring — but for those with frequent hypoglycemia, erratic sugars, or intensive lifestyles, the newer technology genuinely improves outcomes and quality of life.