What characterizes Type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is characterized primarily as an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This destruction significantly reduces or completely eliminates the body's ability to produce insulin, which is crucial for regulating blood sugar levels. As a result, individuals with Type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy to manage their blood glucose effectively.

While factors such as viral infections have been studied in relation to the onset of Type 1 diabetes, the defining characteristic remains the autoimmune attack on the beta cells. This differentiates it from Type 2 diabetes, which is primarily associated with insulin resistance rather than lack of insulin production.

Excessive physical activity does not directly characterize Type 1 diabetes; while it can influence blood sugar management in both types of diabetes, it is not a defining feature of the condition itself. Therefore, the autoimmune nature of Type 1 diabetes is what sets it apart as an important aspect of understanding and treating this disease.