Type 1 Diabetes: A Guide for Families

Type 1 diabetes is a disease caused by a lack of insulin. Insulin is needed to allow sugar to move from the bloodstream into the cells to be used for energy. Nutrients in food are changed into a sugar called glucose. People with type 1 diabetes cannot make insulin, and without insulin, glucose is "stuck" in the bloodstream, leading to a high level of glucose in the blood. Type 1 diabetes affects about 1 in 400 children, adolescents, and young adults under 20 years of age. Currently, once diagnosed, type 1 diabetes is a lifelong disease that cannot be cured. However, the administration of insulin is a very effective treatment for type 1 diabetes.