Type 1

  
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune attack on the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. It is not known how this autoimmune response is triggered. While it type 1 diabetes typically occurred in people from birth to the late 20’s, later ages are also affected. This adult onset may be termed LADA which is Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults. People with LADA are often first diagnosed incorrectly as Type 2 diabetics before the receive the proper diagnosis as being LADA (Gebel, 2010).

“Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s own immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas (called beta cells). Normally, the body’s immune system fights off foreign invaders like viruses or bacteria. But for unknown reasons, in people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks various cells in the body. This results in a complete deficiency of the insulin hormone” (“Diabetes Health Center – Type 1 Diabetes,” 2015).

 

Here are a two additional resources for Type 1 Diabetes: