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Type 1 diabetes is a type of diabetes caused by the disorder of the immune system. This type accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed diabetes in the United States. It occurs mainly in children and young adults. The type 1 diabetes is one of many autoimmune diseases in which the immune system's recognition apparatus breaks down, and the body begins to manufacture T cells and antibodies directed against its own cells and organs. For type 1 diabetes, the misguided T cells attack insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, which then produces little or no insulin.
TreatmentCurrently, the type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin injection to replace the loss of naturally produced insulin. The insulin treatment must be continued indefinitely to control the level of blood glucose, preventing serious complications. It cannot cure the disease. Researchers are experimenting with pancreatic islet transplantation which, if successful, can cure the type 1 diabetes. Insulin Injection
Insulin injected near the stomach works fastest. Insulin injected into the thigh works slowest. Insulin injected into the arm works at medium speed. Pancreatic Islet Transplantation The pancreas, an organ about the size of a hand, is located behind the lower part of the stomach. It makes insulin and enzymes that help the body digest and use food. Spread all over the pancreas are clusters of cells called the islets of Langerhans. Islets are made up of two types of cells: alpha cells, which make glucagon (a hormone that raises the level of glucose in the blood), and beta cells, which make insulin. In an experimental procedure called islet transplantation, islets are taken from a donor pancreas and transferred into another person. Once implanted, the beta cells in these islets begin to make and release insulin. Researchers hope that islet transplantation will help people with type 1 diabetes live without daily injections of insulin.
Reference: National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, USA
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Insulin
injection is preferred over insulin pill because after insulin pill enters the
digestive system, it would be broken down before getting into the blood to
lower blood glucose level. The place insulin is injected also affects the speed that insulin starts to work.