Why have I got type 1 diabetes? We don’t yet know the exact cause of type 1 diabetes but we do know it has a strong family link. However it can only occur when something, like an infection triggers the immune system to destroy the insulin-making cells in the pancreas. While the cause of type 1 diabetes has nothing to do with lifestyle, a healthy lifestyle is very important to manage diabetes. Can type 1 diabetes be prevented or cured? There is a great deal of research happening around the world, but at this stage nothing can prevent or cure type 1 diabetes. Why do hypos happen? Hypos can happen for any of the following reasons: after physical activity being late eating a meal or snack not eating enough carbohydrates too much insulin some infections drinking alcohol. Read more in our Managing hypoglycaemia fact sheet. How can I prevent a hypo? You can’t always prevent a hypo, but there are some things you can do to reduce the chances of it happening, such as: eating regularly taking your insulin at the right time and dosage adjusting the amount of insulin and food depending on how much physical activity you are getting eating more carbohydrates if you are going to drink alcohol not injecting in the same place all the time. Why do hypers happen? Hypers can happen for any of the following reasons: not enough insulin forgetting to take insulin less physical activity than usual eating more than usual stress some infections very hot weather.
