TYPE 1 Diabetes (insulin-dependant, juvenile, IDDM)

In Type 1 Diabetes, your body does not produce enough insulin because the cells of your pancreas are no longer working. Since your glucose storage cells do not receive any message from the insulin, they think that you are not getting any glucose (that you are fasting). Your body then switches from using glucose for energy to fat, which produces ketone bodies. These ketone bodies are strong acids and are usually found in the blood in very small amounts. When they are made in larger amounts, your blood becomes too acidic; this is called ketoacidosis. If this occurs, you may experience stomach pains, vomiting, or a very dry mouth. You may become disoriented or even lose consciousness. When this occurs, you need immediate medical help.

This type of diabetes tends to have a sudden onset and appears before a relatively thin person reaches 40 years of age.