Over the last year I have been struck by how few people actually know what Type 1 diabetes. I think this is probably because Type 1 is so rare and though it is increasing, it is nowhere near the epidemic of Type II diabetes. I have explained the difference to all kinds of people and I am trying to learn the details myself. Here I want to give you a simple description of what Type I diabetes is. I hope it is helpful, at least so you can explain it to your friends or kids (when they see Naomi injecting insulin). It's an Autoimmune Disease
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease like, MS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and allergies. This means that the body's immune system gets "confused" and attacks the body itself.
In the case of Type 1 the immune system attacks the pancreas. The pancreas has two general functions. One is to regulate digestion and the other is to control hormones, like insulin. Insulin allows cells to "open up" and take in glucose (remember lots of things we eat get turned into glucose, it's not just sugar) so that the cell can use the glucose to make energy and do whatever that cell likes to do! Without insulin the "door" for glucose is closed for cells and the glucose just floats around in the blood stream until it gets excreted through your urine. This excess glucose cause havoc in the body, wearing out the kidneys, making you blind. There term diabetes mellitus means generally "to pass through honey." This comes from the sweet smell of the urine from untreated people with diabetes that was observed by the Egyptians and Greeks. 
In Type 1 the immune system attacks a specific part of the pancreas, the beta cells. These cells are located on an area called the islets of Langerhans. The beta cells are what create and excrete insulin when our body ingests glucose. This keeps the glucose levels in our body at a "normal" level. So in Type 1 diabetes, the beta cells are slowly or sometimes quickly killed by the immune system. They then require injectable insulin to stay alive. In the last 20 or so years researchers have figured out how to transplant islets and beta cells. This had great promise, as some people who received the transplants actually didn't require insulin after the transplant. But after a few years almost all patients had to go back on insulin. Their immune cells attacked and killed the new beta cells. Also people had to take transplant anti-rejection drugs for the rest of their lives. The side effects can be more difficult and dangerous than just taking insulin. But hope is not lost. While I am not yet up to date on the latest research in this area, researchers are now focusing on how to protect the beta cells from the immune system. There is even some evidence that if the immune system can be kept at bay, the pancreas may be able to regenerate its own beta cells. This could make islet transplants unnecessary. But like I said, this entire process is very complex and research is need to understand how to find a cure that is effective and feasible.
Speaking of Research:
If you want to support research to find a cure please support my fund raising efforts through the link below. Thanks to Kate and Theresa for their kind donation! We are now up to $700 towards my goal of $5000! My marathon is now 10 weeks away and my training is going well. I ran 29 miles this weekend and feel great, ran another 15 today. I am averaging about 60 miles a week and getting stronger and faster. It's great to get out in the Seattle sunshine while it lasts.
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