Type 1 Diabetes Clinic at King’s College Hospital Dubai
Type 1 diabetes, which affects an estimated 10% of people with diabetes, is a chronic disorder, whereby the insulin producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed, rendering the body unable to make any insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose, which comes from the food we eat, to convert into energy by passing it to the body’s cells.
Since with type 1 diabetes the body cannot convert glucose into energy due to the lack of insulin, the sugar is left circulating in the blood. This leads to high blood sugar levels which can result in health complications.
King’s Type 1 Diabetes Clinic is led by UK Trained Expert Endocrinologists & Diabetologists with years of experience who use evidence-based medicine to treat and manage type 1 diabetes with the goal of preventing severe complications that may be brought on by the condition.
When to See a Doctor
It is highly recommended you visit one of our endocrinologists or diabetologists at King’s is your experience the symptoms listed below:
- Fatigue / weakness
- Urinating frequently
- Severe thirst
- Unexplained weight loss
- Severe hunger pangs
- Mood changes including irritability
- Dry mouth
- Blurry vision
- Sudden bed wetting especially in children who were dry before
- Upset stomach that may lead to vomiting
What Happens During Your Visit to the Doctor?
If you experience the above symptoms and you suspect that you may have type 1 diabetes, then it is important to see an endocrinologist or diabetologist in order to get a definitive diagnosis. When you visit the doctor, he/she will:
- Order a blood test in order to check your blood sugar levels
- Recommend a urine test in order to check for chemicals (including glucose) that the body produces if the insulin levels are extremely low or non-existent
Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes, has no known cure. The treatment of type 1 diabetes focuses on management of the condition by keeping your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible through the use of insulin to lower blood sugar to normal levels, lifestyle changes and a healthy diet that is recommended by a medical dietician or diabetologist.
Type 1 Diabetes Complications
If type 1 diabetes is not controlled or managed well, it may lead to complications which include:
- Increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Damage to the kidneys (nephropathy)
- Skin diseases
- Damage to the eyes
- Pregnancy complications
- Nerve damage
- Poor blood circulation
- Gum disease
If you have type 1 diabetes, there are recommended steps that you can take to minimise the risk of developing complications as a result of the disease. These include:
- Following your doctor’s recommendations to keep your blood sugar under control
- Leading a healthy lifestyle which includes the recommended diet and exercise
- Keeping a close eye on your cholesterol levels and blood pressure
- Maintaining a healthy weight
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