Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in your pancreas. Without these cells, your body can't produce the hormone insulin. 

You need insulin to move glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream into your cells for energy. Without it, sugar builds up in your blood and causes inflammation and organ damage. This means people with T1D need to take insulin daily to survive and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

T1D typically develops in childhood or adolescence but can appear at any age. It used to be called juvenile diabetes. T1D is not preventable and isn't caused by diet or lifestyle choices. It accounts for about 5% to 10% of all diabetes cases. 

Type 1 diabetes symptoms often appear suddenly over a period of days or weeks. Common signs include:

• Extreme thirst and increased urination (including bedwetting in children who were previously dry)
• Intense hunger even after eating
• Unexplained weight loss despite normal or increased eating
• Fatigue and weakness
• Blurred vision
• Irritability or mood changes
• Fruity-smelling breath
• Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain

There's no cure for type 1 diabetes — but you can live a full and active life with it. With modern insulin therapy, continuous glucose monitoring and support from your healthcare team, T1D is highly manageable. 

The key is learning how to balance insulin, food and activity. Once you understand how your body responds and have the right tools in place, managing T1D becomes second nature. With proper management, people with Type 1 diabetes can expect to live long, healthy lives with minimal disruption to their daily routines and goals.

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes both involve high blood sugar. But they develop in completely different ways. With Type 1 diabetes, your immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas, so your body makes little to no insulin. This means you need insulin every day. T1D typically develops in childhood or young adulthood and isn't related to lifestyle factors.

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, develops when your body becomes resistant to insulin or when your pancreas gradually produces less insulin over time. Your body still makes some insulin, just not enough. Or it could be that your cells don't use it effectively. 

About 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases are Type 2. Risk factors include excess weight, physical inactivity and genetics. Many people with Type 2 diabetes can manage their condition with lifestyle changes and oral medications like metformin. Some eventually do need insulin, though.

Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed through blood tests that measure your blood sugar levels. If you're showing symptoms, your doctor will typically order a random blood glucose test or a fasting blood glucose test. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher (or 126 mg/dL or higher when fasting) suggests diabetes. 

Your doctor may also order an A1c test, which shows your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. A result of 6.5% or higher could mean diabetes.

To confirm Type 1 diabetes, your doctor may test for autoantibodies in your blood. These are proteins your immune system produces when it attacks your pancreas. A C-peptide test may also be used to measure how much insulin your pancreas is still producing. 

Once diagnosed, you'll work with your healthcare team to start insulin therapy and learn how to manage your blood sugar levels.

There are several ways to deliver insulin. Insulin injections using syringes or insulin pens are the most common method. You'll inject rapid-acting insulin before meals and long-acting insulin once or twice daily. Many people prefer insulin pens because they're portable, discreet and easier to use than traditional syringes.

Insulin pumps are small computerized devices worn on your body that deliver insulin continuously through a thin tube inserted under your skin. It delivers a steady amount of insulin. Press a button and you’ll get extra insulin at mealtimes. Some pumps integrate with continuous glucose monitors to automatically adjust insulin delivery based on your real-time blood sugar readings.

The most advanced option is an automated insulin delivery system, sometimes called an artificial pancreas. These systems connect an insulin pump with a continuous glucose monitor and use an algorithm to automatically adjust insulin delivery throughout the day and night.

Yes! Exercise helps your body clear sugar from your bloodstream, just like it does for everyone. When you exercise, your muscles use glucose for energy, which helps lower your blood sugar levels. Physical activity also makes your cells more sensitive to insulin, so the insulin you take works more effectively.

However, managing exercise with T1D means thinking ahead. You might need to eat a snack before exercise, reduce your insulin dose or adjust your pump settings to prevent low blood sugar during or after your workout. High-intensity exercise can sometimes cause blood sugar to rise temporarily due to stress hormones, so you'll learn to monitor and adjust accordingly. With practice, you'll figure out what works for your body and your favorite activities.