Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that affects millions of people around the world. Before the discovery of insulin in 1921, many people with type 1 diabetes struggled to survive and faced a short life expectancy. Even after the discovery of insulin, treatment for type 1 diabetes was far from ideal. In this article, we'll explore how type 1 diabetics survived before the discovery of insulin.
Diagnosis Without Insulin
Before the discovery of insulin, the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was difficult. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes, such as frequent urination and weight loss, were often misdiagnosed as other conditions. Doctors would often prescribe a strict diet, but this did not always help. As a result, many people with type 1 diabetes went undiagnosed until their condition had progressed to a more advanced stage.
Treatment Without Insulin
Without insulin, treatment for type 1 diabetes was limited. Doctors often prescribed a diet of low-calorie, low-carbohydrate foods to try to control blood sugar levels. Exercise was also recommended as a way to burn off excess sugar, but this was often difficult for people with type 1 diabetes. Other treatments, such as fasting and the use of herbal remedies, were also used, but were not always effective.
Coping With Type 1 Diabetes
Life before the discovery of insulin was difficult for people with type 1 diabetes. Many people experienced extreme fatigue, weight loss, and dehydration due to their condition. It was also difficult to get proper nutrition, as the diets recommended for type 1 diabetes were often lacking in essential nutrients. For many people, the only option was to try to manage their condition as best they could.
Conclusion
Before the discovery of insulin, life was difficult for people with type 1 diabetes. Diagnosis was difficult, treatment options were limited, and many people struggled to cope with the symptoms of their condition. While insulin has dramatically improved the lives of people with type 1 diabetes, it is important to remember the struggles that many faced before its discovery.