Symptoms

People ask me all the time what the warning signs/symptoms were. Knowing the warning signs for type 1 diabetes (medically known as diabetes mellitus) could save a life. Education about the symptoms of type 1 diabetes is critical because type 1 can easily be mistaken for more common illnesses, such as the flu, and misdiagnosis can have tragic consequences.

These symptoms may be the first signs of type 1 diabetes, or may occur when the blood sugar is high:

• Being very thirsty
• Feeling hungry
• Feeling tired or fatigued
• Having blurry eyesight
• Losing weight without trying
• Urinating more often (we noticed the middle of the night potty trips)
  
• Losing the feeling or feeling tingling in your feet

For other people, these warning symptoms may be the first signs of type 1 diabetes, or they may happen when the blood sugar is very high (see: diabetic ketoacidosis):

• Deep, rapid breathing
• Dry skin and mouth
• Flushed face
• Fruity breath odor
• Nausea or vomiting, inability to keep down fluids
• Stomach pain

If you or someone you love exhibits one or more of these symptoms, call a doctor immediately.

Knowing the symptoms of type 1 diabetes can save a life. Please share what you've learned with everyone--family, friends, teachers, doctors. Until a cure is found, the more who know, the more lives will be saved.