Unlike Type 2 diabetes, which occurs slowly over time, Type 1 diabetes can develop suddenly and isn’t related to diet or lifestyle choices. This lifelong condition, which makes your body unable to produce insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar, affects children and adolescents more often, and in rare circumstances, adults too.
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In today’s read, you will learn about the first symptoms of Type 1 diabetes so that you can prevent its life-threatening complications head-on.
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Quick Explainer of What Type 1 Diabetes Is
Type 1 diabetes is also known as Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM). In the past, it was referred to as Juvenile Diabetes because it often starts before the age of 15.
This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system, which is supposed to fight off foreign invaders like harmful viruses and bacteria, mistakenly destroys all the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Insulin helps move glucose (sugar) from the blood into cells which is then converted into energy for various body functions.
With no insulin in the body, blood sugar levels become high, gradually affecting every part of the body, especially the blood vessels and nerves. This leads to various symptoms.
The exact reason why the immune system sometimes attacks the body’s own cells is still a topic of debate. But, researchers believe that it may occur due to genetic and environmental factors, inflammation levels and in some cases, even because of exposure to viruses.
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Early Symptoms Of Type 1 Diabetes
Many signs of type 1 diabetes are similar to type 2 diabetes but there are some differences to help tell them apart. One major difference is Type 2 diabetes develops slowly over the years, and the patient may not experience any symptoms for a long time. The condition is often diagnosed when blood or urine tests are done for another reason.
On the other hand, Type 1 diabetes symptoms tend to develop rapidly over a few weeks or months. In children, parents may see a change in behavior but can’t exactly pinpoint the reason. Here are the first symptoms of Type 1 diabetes to keep an eye out for:
1. Change in Eating Habits
The patient may show unusual eating patterns, such as a huge appetite. Despite having a full meal, they might complain of constant hunger, tend to overeat or seem to be always snacking.
This happens because the food we eat is converted into glucose, the body’s energy source. In the case of diabetes, due to a lack of insulin, the glucose cannot be used by the body. As a result, the patient suffering from the condition does not get the energy they need. Hence, no matter how much glucose they obtain from food, they may seem ravenously hungry all the time. This becomes a vicious cycle where overeating leads to high blood sugar, and high blood sugar causes problems with insulin.
The person may also experience unexplained weight loss even after eating so much. They may notice a decline in body mass and look thinner due to the loss of fat and muscle.
2. Change in Urinary Frequency
Making frequent bathroom trips is another common symptom of type 1 diabetes. When insulin cannot regulate blood glucose, the levels will rise. In normal conditions, the kidneys filter and reabsorb glucose in the blood.
But, when the glucose level is too high, it exceeds the kidneys’ capacity. The kidneys cannot filter all the excess glucose, so they excrete it into the urine. Since glucose is a solute, it pulls water into the urine through osmosis, leading to increased urine production. Moreover, by pulling fluid from other tissues, the body may become dehydrated. This dehydration causes increased thirst, intake of more fluid, and thus peeing more often.
Noticeable changes in urination and stool contents are a cause for concern, especially in children who are usually dry at night but suddenly start wetting the bed, or if infants and toddlers have heavier nappies than usual.
3. Intense Feeling Of Thirst
People with type 1 diabetes often experience excessive thirst, drinking more fluids than usual but still unable to quench their thirst. This is due to the body’s attempt to flush out excess sugar in the blood through increased urination. As a result, their body becomes dehydrated, and they may constantly ask for water or other drinks and drink larger amounts of fluids than usual.
4. Extreme Drowsiness Or Altered Energy Levels
In type 1 diabetes, there is a high amount of sugar in the blood, but it cannot be used by the cells. This makes the person feel sluggish or tired than usual. Extreme fatigue, shifts in energy levels and difficulty concentrating are reasons to raise a red flag.
Parents might hear complaints from teachers about their children being drowsier in class or having trouble staying awake. In babies, this might manifest as increased napping or longer sleep durations. Because of this drained energy, the patient’s mood and behaviour can also be affected, leading to irritation or frequent mood swings.
5. “Fruity” Smell On The Breath
A fruity smell on the breath, often compared to acetone or nail polish remover, is another symptom of type 1 diabetes that indicates high levels of ketones in the blood, a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis.
In type 1 diabetes the body cells lack sufficient glucose due to which they turn to fats and muscles to produce energy. This leads to the formation of ketones which provide a fruity-smelling scent to the breath. If this symptom is experienced, look for other warning signs of type 1 diabetes like excessive thirst, nausea, blurry vision, and delayed wound healing, and seek immediate medical attention.
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