Type 1 diabetes is also called Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Type 1 diabetes exists due to insufficient insulin inside the human body. Insulin is the hormone that is responsible for allowing glucose to enter the body's cells. Insulin insufficiency occurs inside the body because the body's immune system fights and damages the cells that produce the insulin (pancreas).

The best medication to treat type 1 diabetes is insulin, and there are a number of different types of insulin in the market today. Since insulin can't be consumed through the mouth, those suffering from this disease have to take insulin injections every day and monitor their blood sugar levels on a consistent basis. Why can't it be taken through the mouth? This is because when taken through the mouth, the digestive juices and enzymes inside the mouth destroy and kill it. Apart from type 1 diabetes, a lack of insulin is also known to cause other metabolic problems.

A person's body will take in less glucose when his beta cells are not producing insulin. When this takes place, his liver releases more glucose. His blood sugar level then rises to a very high level, as much as ten times above the normal level.

The development of type 1 diabetes symptoms happens over a short period of time. The most common of these type 1 symptoms are: easily tired, thirsty and hungry all the time, a lot of trips to the bathroom, and easy mood swings.

In children, type 1 diabetes symptoms may resemble flu symptoms. However, each child may experience diabetes symptoms differently.

Although beta cell destruction can begin years earlier, type 1 diabetes symptoms usually develop rather quickly, over a few days to weeks, and are caused by blood sugar levels rising above normal levels (hyperglycemia).

Other type 1 diabetes symptoms can include weight loss and blurry vision. These symptoms are due to the lack of insulin in the body. Because there is no insulin being produced, type 1 diabetes symptoms develop and worsen very rapidly with sufferers quickly falling into a diabetic coma if the illness is not diagnosed and treated properly.

If you or someone you know encounter these type 1 diabetes symptoms, quickly consume at least 3 teaspoons of sugar dissolved in water.

Ignoring these diabetes symptoms can only lead to them worsening and possibly the development of a more serious health problem. In Type 1 diabetes, symptoms are usually life-threatening; hence it is mostly diagnosed rather quickly.