Wow!, I like what they say on Wikipedia, that they don't call type I diabetes; juvenile or insulin dependent diabetes anymore. I am very pleased with this because it really depends on the individual who has type I diabetes. One time in my life my autoimmune system attacked my cells (islets of Langerhans) in my pancreas, causing it to stop producing insulin. This stops the body from getting energy from glucose which comes from this like; bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruit and milk. Insulin helps control the levels of sugar (glucose) by having it enter blood cells to produce energy for the body to use for activities in the day.
The symptoms of type I diabetes are the following: increase thirst followed up by frequent urination, and weight loss which includes increased hunger. There is other symptoms as well, which I had before being diagnosed; tiredness, change in behaviour, dry mouth and a few other minor ones.
If it wasn't for the discovery of insulin by Canadian Frederick Banting and Charles Best, type I diabetes would be fatal for anyone diagnosed with it and without insulin, the individual would first go into a coma caused by ketoacidosis and then a accumulation of liquid in the brain (Cerebral Edema.) There are a few ways of getting insulin into the body, using through injections (needles or pens) and less often with an insulin pump (cost is high.) There is many different types of insulin which are determined by the individuals lifestyle: exercise routine/lack of, meal plans, age, goals, health and outlook.
The many theories of what causes type I diabetes are: Genetics (European), Environmental, Virus (triggering auto-immune response), Diet (antibodies against cows milk, lack of Vitamin D and short Breastfeeding period), Chemical & Medications (Pyrinuron & Zanosar), and Pathophysiology (autoimmune response.) I come from a European Family of Italian origins and my mom was told to not breast feed me because formula was better for me (early seventies.)
If a type I diabetic has high levels of sugar over a period time, there is high chance of them getting complications includes: nerve damage, thyroid disease, heart disease, kidney problems, and blindness. However, if the diabetes is in good control there will be a delay or no appearance of these complications.
It is not a preventable disease and has no cure, but can be managed depending on the severity of the disease. Type I diabetics can also live quite a normal life doing the same as any other health person (participate in any sport/exercise, have children, etc, but with a few guidelines to follow. It will differ from all individuals from excellent control to brittle diabetes (which I'm still considered but getting better.)
Diet and Exercise is other areas which help with the management of type I diabetes and is as important as getting the shots of insulin and blood test monitoring. This includes; carbohydrate counting with a balanced food groups of starch, protein, fruit, vegetable and calcium. This is one of the contributing factors of keeping normal blood glucose levels, measuring between 4.4-7.8 mmo/L (80-140 mg/dl), again with the help of exercise and insulin. To know if the blood sugars are on track is including the use of a blood-testing machine, giving a important insight.
There is many other things that diabetics have to keep their eye on like; keeping cholesterol & other blood fats in range, maintain a healthy weight, keep blood pressure at a target level, don't smoke and regular visits to the dentist, eye specialist and family doctor. I know that being obese is one of the largest causes of being a brittle diabetic but very lucky to have low blood pressure and a normal cholesterol levels.
Resources: Diabetes mellitus type 1 - Type I Diabetes: the basics - T!D Fact Sheet - type I diabetes: the basics
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