Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes) is usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults, although it can develop at any age.
If you have type 1 diabetes, it means your pancreas isn’t making insulin or is not making enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that enables blood sugar to enter the cells in your body where it can be used for energy. Without insulin, blood sugar can’t get into cells and builds up in the bloodstream. High blood sugar is damaging to the body and causes many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2—about 5% of people with diabetes have type 1. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes, but it can be managed by following your doctor’s recommendations for living a healthy lifestyle, controlling your blood sugar, getting regular health checkups, and getting diabetes self-management education. (Source reference: CDC.gov)
OUR SPECIALIST at FMC:
Dr. Kristine Parker-Curling
is ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism. She is also certified as an Obesity Specialist. Dr. Parker-Curling is the only full-time Endocrinologist currently practicing in The Bahamas and is part of the Family Medicine Center medical team.