Type 1 Diabetes and Homeostasis
Insulin Production/Blood Sugar Levels
Symptoms
- Increased Thirst
- Extreme Hunger
- Fatigue and Weakness
- Blurred Vision
- Irritability and Other Mood Changes
This illustrates how the pancreas reacts to high and low blood glucose levels.
This illustrates how Type 1 Diabetes affects glucose.
This shows the role of insulin and what it does for the body.
How Type 1 Diabetes affects Homeostasis and the Body
Type 1 Diabetes patients cannot produce their own insulin making their blood sugar levels not at homeostasis. It affects the Heart, Blood Vessels, Nerves, Kidneys, and Eyes. The body is affected because it cannot produce insulin, which allows food that is consumed to be turned into energy and for that energy to be delivered to the cells of the body. It is vital for the body to stay healthy and maintain homeostasis. The body tries to balance itself by having the cells obtain energy through stored fat and muscle.
Treatments/Therapies
The lone way for the body to treat the imbalance is by the patient injecting him/herself with insulin everyday for their entire life. In addition to injecting insulin, patients should frequently monitor blood sugar, count carbohydrates, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly in order to keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.
"The difference between me and a person raising a child without diabetes is from the minute we wake up, I check her blood glucose. There is a lot of carbohydrate counting and injecting insulin every two hours." -Jessica Pena on Raising Her 2-Year-Old Daughter with Type 1 Diabetes
Created by Tyler Heath
Twitter: @tbonetyler99