What does "diabetes Type 1" refer to?

Diabetes Type 1, also known as Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, is a condition where the body does not produce insulin due to autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This means individuals with Type 1 Diabetes require exogenous insulin for survival, hence the term Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. The need for insulin is critical because without it, blood glucose levels can rise to dangerous levels, leading to severe health complications.

While Type 1 Diabetes is often contrasted with Type 2 Diabetes, which is characterized by insulin resistance and can sometimes be managed without insulin, Type 1 is exclusively dependent on insulin for control of blood sugar levels. This distinction is vital in understanding the management and treatment of diabetes and why recognizing Type 1 as insulin-dependent is essential. Other classifications like Type 2 refer to a different mechanism involving insulin resistance, which is why they do not apply to Type 1 Diabetes.