All You Need To Know About Warning Signs Of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is different from a most common type of diabetes, type 2. This type of diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, destroys insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas. That’s why; type 1 and type 2 diabetes differ from one another. It typically affects 10% of diabetics. But, it cannot be overlooked since it is most commonly diagnosed in anywhere from their infancy to the 30s. It can affect any child, teenage and adult. Therefore, parents, children, teenagers and adults need to know the warning signs of this type of diabetes.

Why is it important?

 There are different types of diabetes, affecting several people in world. So, what is s relevance of this type?

• There is no oral medication to control it. Children, teens and adults need to take insulin injections on everyday basis to manage it.
• Among all types of diabetes, this type has most unpredictable rise and fall in blood sugar. Anyone suffering from type 1 diabetes will need to watch out for these sugar spikes. T1D patient always carry necessary supplies to manage these drastic changes effectively.
• Ignored meal, smaller meal, injury, illness, late meal or excessive exercise can lead to a drop of blood glucose levels too. Common symptoms of diabetic hyperglycaemia (low blood sugar) are nausea, nervousness, rapid heartbeat and mood swings. But, it can also lead to loss of consciousness, seizures and even coma. 

Symptoms:

 Type 1 and type 2 diabetes have a few similar symptoms. But, due to drastic end of insulin production and age of onset, these types of diabetes are dissimilar. Therefore, following symptoms will help you identify it successfully.

• Dry mouth and extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue, drowsiness
• Blurred vision
• Amplified appetite
• Sudden and unexplained weight loss
• Sugar in urine
• Laboured breathing
• Loss of consciousness

Warning signs

 You may witness following warning signs in children, teenagers or young adults.

• Unplanned weight is a tell-tale sign of diabetes. This is not applicable to type 2 diabetes due to gradual and progressive insulin insensitivity. This is one of the most common differentiators between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
• Unexplained and a rather constant feeling of tiredness
• Slightly blurred vision
• Even a slight amount of exercise can tire a diabetic.
• Most people start eating larger portions of food suddenly.

So, all diabetes types have its health complications. But, type 1 has most extreme symptoms. Therefore, you cannot afford to ignore even the smallest warning signs of this type of diabetes. The consequence can be detrimental to health and well-being of the diabetes patient.

Sowmya K is a certified dietician, who designs diet for diabetes patients specifically.  But, she also has a keen passion for writing. So, she combined her professional knowledge and writing articles about different types of diabetes like type 1 & 2 diabetes, symptoms of diabetic hyperglycaemia to help people live an active life with diabetes.