High blood sugar can lead to problems such as: What are the complications from diabetes?

Check blood sugar levels several times a day.

Eat a healthy diet that spreads carbohydrate throughout the day.

Take insulin through daily shots or an insulin pump.

Treatment for type 1 diabetes focuses on keeping blood sugar levels within a target range and doing things to reduce complications.

Some people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes because they have symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis. Your doctor can diagnose diabetes with a physical examination, your medical history, and blood tests. Restlessness, drowsiness, or trouble waking up.If you wait too long to get medical care, you may get diabetic ketoacidosis, which is very dangerous. They may think that the diabetes symptoms are because of the flu, so they don't seek medical care soon enough. Sometimes people notice symptoms after an illness, like the flu. These symptoms usually appear over a few days to weeks. What are the symptoms of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes?

Other things that increase the risk of getting type 1 diabetes are being white and having islet cell antibodies in the blood. But most people with the illness don't have a family history. Some people have a greater chance of getting type 1 diabetes because they have a parent, brother, or sister who has it. Type 1 diabetes starts because the body destroys those beta cells. The body makes insulin in beta cells, which are in a part of the pancreas called the islet (say 'EYE-let') tissue. But with treatment, people can live long and healthy lives. Over time with type 2, the body doesn't make enough insulin. In type 2, the body can't use insulin the right way. In type 1 diabetes, the body stops making insulin. Type 1 diabetes is different from type 2 diabetes. That's why it used to be called juvenile diabetes. Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but it usually starts in children or young adults. It can also increase your risk for other health problems (complications). High blood sugar can harm many parts of the body, such as the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys. And then your blood sugar level gets too high. Without insulin, this sugar can't get into your cells to do its work. It also helps the body store extra energy in muscle, fat, and liver cells. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body's cells use sugar (glucose) for energy. Type 1 diabetes happens when your pancreas stops making insulin.

For specific information about children who have type 1 diabetes, see the topic Type 1 Diabetes: Children Living With the Disease. This topic covers type 1 diabetes, including information about symptoms, tests, and home treatment.