From restless.co.uk/health
According to Diabetes UK, more than 5.8 million people in the UK have diabetes, with 8% of these living with type 1. Type 1 diabetes can be frustrating to live with and, if left unchecked, can increase the risk of health complications.
While there’s currently no cure, type 1 diabetes is manageable and health experts are constantly researching new treatments and technologies to help people live well.
Here, we’ll look closer at type 1 diabetes and explore the latest research into new technologies and treatment options.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic health condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to a lack of insulin. Because we rely on insulin to convert glucose (sugar) into energy, low levels can cause blood sugars to rise dangerously high.
While type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed during childhood, it’s possible to develop the condition at any age – though this is usually before the age of 40. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is currently unknown, but having a mother, father, or sibling with the condition can increase your risk. However, experts are keen to emphasise that there’s nothing you can do to prevent yourself or others from developing type 1 diabetes.
According to the NHS, signs of type 1 diabetes to look out for include fatigue, frequent infections (such as thrush), feeling very thirsty, and passing urine more than usual (particularly at night).
Insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes and can be administered via injections or through the use of an insulin pump. Checking and managing your blood sugar levels is also key for reducing the risk of serious health complications.
What are some potential complications of type 1 diabetes?
If left unchecked, high blood sugar levels can significantly damage blood vessels. If your blood vessels can’t function properly, blood is unable to travel to areas of your body that it needs to. This means your nerves won’t work properly either, which can eventually cause a loss of feeling in certain areas of your body.
As a result, without the correct treatment, type 1 diabetes can lead to serious health issues. These are typically separated into two main categories: chronic complications and acute complications. We’ll explore these below.
Chronic complications of type 1 diabetes
According to Diabetes UK, chronic type 1 diabetes complications are long-term and tend to develop gradually. If left unchecked, these can lead to serious damage. Examples include…
- Eye problems (retinopathy) – some people with diabetes develop diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that can increase the risk of sight loss. If detected early enough, diabetic retinopathy can usually be treated, preventing vision loss.
- Foot issues – nerve damage caused by diabetes can impact sensation in the feet, while high blood sugar can affect circulation, causing sores and cuts to heal more slowly. If unaddressed, diabetes-related foot problems can be serious and lead to amputation.
- Stroke and heart attack – having high blood sugar levels for a prolonged period can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
- Kidney problems (nephropathy) – high blood sugar and high blood pressure can cause kidney damage, making it more difficult for them to rid the body of excess fluid and waste. This is known as diabetic nephropathy or kidney disease.
Acute complications of type 1 diabetes
Acute complications of type 1 diabetes can occur at any time and may lead to chronic complications. These include…
- Hypos – when blood sugar levels are too low
- Hypers – when blood sugar levels are too high
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) – a life-threatening emergency where a lack of insulin and high blood sugar levels lead to a build-up of ketones in the body. Ketones are poisonous chemicals that the body produces when there isn’t enough insulin to allow glucose to enter cells.
Once nerves and blood vessels are damaged in one area of the body, it also increases your risk of developing similar issues in other areas. For this reason, it’s important to do what you can to prevent or delay diabetes complications.
For further reading on type 1 diabetes complications, head over to the Diabetes UK website.
What can I do to reduce my risk of type 1 diabetes complications?
While type 1 diabetes can increase your risk of several health conditions, the good news is that complications aren’t inevitable.
This 20-year study, supported by Diabetes UK, found that keeping blood sugar and blood pressure levels within a target range was key to managing diabetes and preventing complications – including a significantly reduced risk of kidney disease, heart attacks, and premature death.
According to Diabetes UK, this means attending your diabetes health checks, working with your diabetes healthcare team to take care of yourself between appointments, and taking steps to manage your condition well. This includes making healthy food choices, staying active, quitting smoking, and regularly checking blood sugar levels.
For more advice on what you can do to prevent or delay diabetes complications, you might like to download this free booklet from Diabetes UK.
What’s the latest research on diabetes technology?
Diabetes technology refers to a wide range of devices and software designed to help people manage their condition well. For some people with type 1 diabetes, technology can make a huge difference to their quality of life. However, not all technology will be right for everyone.
There are various types of diabetes technology, which Diabetes UK breaks down into three broad categories. We’ll explore these below.
Some types of diabetes technology are available through the NHS. You can find the latest eligibility guidelines on the Diabetes UK website.
Alternatively, you can pay for diabetes tech yourself. However, this can be expensive and it’s worth noting that new tech comes on the market all the time. For this reason, it’s important to speak to your healthcare professional before purchasing anything, as they’ll be able to advise you on the tech that’ll suit you best.
Tech for taking insulin
Everyone with type 1 diabetes takes insulin. Most people use an insulin pen. However, thanks to changes in tech, there are now more ways to take insulin – including insulin pumps and smart insulin pens.
A more recent technology, called closed-loop systems, has also been developed. Also known as an artificial pancreas, closed-loop systems stimulate insulin pumps to release insulin in the body based on your blood sugar readings.
Tech for monitoring blood sugars
Keeping your blood sugar levels within the target range is key for reducing the risk of serious diabetes complications. As a result, using home technology to monitor your blood sugar levels in between having scheduled checks with your healthcare professional (which may occur every three, six, or 12 months) can be helpful.
Blood sugar monitors have been around for a while now. But newer, electronic monitors, such as CGMs and Flash, allow you to check blood sugar levels without pricking your fingers.
Other tech for managing diabetes
Ketone monitors
Ketones are poisonous chemicals produced by the body when it doesn’t have enough insulin. If left unchecked, high ketone levels in the blood can lead to a serious health condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Ketone monitors can measure the amount of ketones in your blood. As a result, they’re recommended for everyone with type 1 diabetes and are available through the NHS.
Apps
There are various apps and smart technologies available that can help and inspire people to maintain a lifestyle that supports diabetes management. For example, apps that encourage healthy eating and regular exercise, and monitor carbohydrate intake.
That said, there are various apps specifically designed for people with diabetes. Check out this guide to the best diabetes iPhone and Android apps from Diabetes.co.uk to learn more.
For further reading, you might like to read Diabetes UK’s guide to the most helpful technology and apps for diabetes, which includes patient reviews. It’s also worth noting that research into new types of diabetes technology is ongoing.
What’s the latest research on treatments for type 1 diabetes?
There’s currently no cure for type 1 diabetes. However, scientists across the UK are researching potential new treatments. We’ll explore some of the main research avenues below.
Research into stopping the immune attack
In order to stop type 1 diabetes, treatment needs to prevent the immune system’s attack on beta cells (cells that make insulin). Scientists are currently working to develop and test treatments called immunotherapies that target the immune system to prevent it from destroying beta cells.
Current studies have found that immunotherapies may be able to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes for a few months in high-risk individuals. Other research has shown promising results for the use of immunotherapies in people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Specifically, they may be able to temporarily slow down or halt the immune attack to protect surviving beta cells.
Head over to the Diabetes UK website to read more about type 1 diabetes immunotherapies.
Research into beta cell replacement
According to experts, a cure for those already living with type 1 diabetes is likely to involve a combination of different treatments.
Firstly, beta cells destroyed by the immune system need to be replaced. Transplants using cells taken from donors already exist. However, because these stop working over time and donor numbers are limited, scientists are looking into ways to make an unlimited supply of beta cells in the lab.
Lab-made cells have been found to successfully treat type 1 diabetes in animals, but further trials are underway to confirm their potential effects on humans.
Research into beta cell protection
For treatment to be lasting, experts are also researching how to prevent newly transplanted beta cells from being destroyed by the immune system.
Potential methods of doing this include immunotherapies or transplanting beta cells in a protective barrier (beta cell encapsulation). However, further research is needed to test if protective devices are safe and beneficial long term.
You can read more about current research into a cure for type 1 diabetes on the Diabetes UK website.
Diabetes UK has also teamed up with the Steve Morgan Foundation and JDRF to speed up the development of new treatments and a cure for type 1 diabetes, known as the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge. You can read more about this on the Type 1 Diabetes Grand Challenge website.
Final thoughts…
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic health condition that can be difficult and worrying to live with. However, with the correct approach, it’s entirely possible to manage the condition well and minimise its impact on your health and daily life. While there’s currently no cure, current research into new potential treatments is promising.
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