Warning Signs of Type 1 Diabetes
The warning signs you show prior to being officially diagnosed with any disease are very important. Although these signs can range from A-Z, there are specific ones for each disease and illness.
With type one diabetes, there are quite a few symptoms that most people don’t recognize. They include increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, unintended weight loss, irritability and other mood changes, fatigue and weakness, blurred vision, fruity smell of the breath, and bedwetting in children who are not known for wetting their beds. These symptoms can appear suddenly and need to be tended to as soon as possible.
Personally, I don’t remember all of the symptoms I had before I was diagnosed, but my parents tell me that I had increased thirst, frequent urination, unintended weight loss, mood changes, and the fruity smell of the breath. Of the symptoms I do recall, I remember having blurred vision, extreme hunger, and bedwetting. It’s embarrassing to say that when I was eight years old, I was wetting my bed, but that is the reason I went to the doctor. Most children stop wetting the bed around the age of five or six. So this was a major indicator that something was wrong.
I have seen different symptoms in every child and even teens when they get diagnosed. I have had some of my close family friends and relatives get diagnosed despite the fact that they were all exhibiting different symptoms. The most common ones that I have seen are excessive thirst and frequent urination. These two symptoms go together because, if you think about it, the more you drink, the more often you will have to use the bathroom. The older you are when you are diagnosed with type one diabetes, the more you realize something is wrong. We had a family friend get diagnosed about a year ago who was 18 and noticed he had been drinking a lot more water, going to the bathroom more often, and was even having hallucinations (which is what landed him in the hospital). His parents didn’t think much of it; they thought he had a virus. But, they later found out he had type one diabetes.
When you don’t feel right, it is extremely important to see a doctor. I know it’s hard right now with COVID-19, but even if you do a video call with your doctor, let them know your symptoms. The longer you wait to get treated, the worse your symptoms and the outcome could be. Be aware of how you feel and the new habits you have taken on. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or someone else, speak to a doctor—the worst that could happen is you get tested.
If at any point you feel there is something wrong with your health (e.g. depression, COVID-19 symptoms, or the symptoms of type one diabetes) do not be afraid to reach out to a health expert and get the help you need. You cannot fight these alone.
