To date, type 1 diabetes is an incurable disease. It is an autoimmune disease caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, in which the immune system wrongfully attacks and destroys insulin-generated cells (betacelles). Because of the destruction of these cells, the body was unable to produce enough insulin to regulate the blood sugar levels.
Although type 1 diabetes cannot be cured, it can be managed and controlled through:
Insulin treatment: Patients need regular injections of insulin to replace insulin, which is lacking in the body, in order to keep blood sugar within normal limits.
Blood sugar monitoring: periodic monitoring of blood sugar levels in order to adjust insulin dosages in a timely manner.
Dietary management: Following the advice of a doctor or a nutritionist to develop a reasonable diet to balance the intake of carbohydrates, proteins and fat.
Physical exercise: Appropriate physical exercise helps to increase body sensitivity to insulin and helps control blood sugar.
Continuing education and support: knowledge about type 1 diabetes, supported by family, friends and medical teams.
Currently, researchers are exploring possible cures, including:
Pancreas or insulin cell transplants: While some degree of insulin independence can be provided, this is not a universally feasible solution due to limited supply sources and immune exclusion.
Regenerative medicine: study of how to induce the regeneration of pancreas beta cells or the use of stem cell technology to generate new beta cells.
Immunization treatment: attempts to stop attacks on beta cells by regulating the immune system or to protect the remaining beta cells from damage.
Despite the promise of these areas of research, there is currently no proven way to treat type 1 diabetes safely and effectively. Thus, for type 1 diabetes patients, the most important thing now is to manage the disease effectively and maintain a good quality of life through existing treatments.
Diabetes
