Signs Of Type 1 Diabetes

 2015-05-17

Early diagnosis of type 1 diabetes saves lives.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition that makes the body unable to produce insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. Without insulin, our bodies cannot use the sugar in our bloodstream as energy, causing people to experience diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or worse complications, including death.

If an individual goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed, these life-threatening complications become a reality. This is why recognizing the early symptoms of type 1 diabetes is critical. Symptoms may develop rapidly and can be mistaken for the flu or other illnesses and a delayed diagnosis can have serious consequences.

Who gets type 1?

Anyone, at any age, can be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes—it is neither preventable nor curable. While the cause is unknown, studies prove that genes together with an environmental trigger result in the immune system turning on itself and destroying the body’s beta cells.

Many people are familiar with type 2 diabetes, but there is not enough awareness of type 1. Learn more about other forms of diabetes.

What to do

If you recognize any of the symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. A simple blood or urine test will detect type 1. Every day, thousands of adults and children around the world are diagnosed, but many go undetected. Early diagnosis cannot prevent type 1, but it can head off potentially devastating, and even fatal, health concerns.

Get involved + save lives

Now that you’re aware of the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes, how can you get more involved and share this life-saving information? Check out our #SeeTheSigns of Diabetes Awareness Campaign here and learn about how you can receive free posters and other materials to share in your communities, schools, coffee shops, doctor’s offices and so much more. Together, we can see to it that no one experiences life-threatening complications or a preventable tragedy as a result of a delayed or missed type 1 diagnosis.