From healthcentral.com
Be on the lookout for these common signs of T1D
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) occurs when the body can no longer make insulin, the hormone that lets sugar enter the cells. This causes blood sugar levels to rise too high. A T1D diagnosis can happen at any age but is most common in children and young adults. Having a parent or sibling with T1D “significantly increases your risk,” says Meredith A. Wilkes, M.D., medical director of the paediatric diabetes program at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in New York City. But genes are just one factor. About 90% of people who develop T1D have no family history.
A Treatable Condition
T1D is treatable with insulin, blood sugar monitoring, and lifestyle modifications (like carb-counting and exercise), per the Mayo Clinic. But early diagnosis is vital, says Marina Basina, M.D., an endocrinologist at Stanford Medicine in Redwood City, CA. Untreated T1D can eventually lead to a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the National Library of Medicine explains. But the disease can be sneaky, especially in its early stages So, how do you know if you have it? Here are six symptoms of type 1 diabetes to watch out for.
Fatigue
Early T1D signs symptoms tend to be vague and don’t necessarily set off alarm bells, Dr. Basina says. One example is feeling more tired than usual, despite getting enough rest. “Insulin is needed to provide all of the organs of your body with sugar to use as a source of energy,” Dr. Wilkes explains. Without sugar for fuel, your body’s energy levels will crash. Some people experience “profound fatigue” for months, Dr. Basina says, while others only notice a small dip in energy levels shortly before diagnosis. It tends to get worse over time, though, she adds.
More Frequent Urination
Peeing more than usual is a common sign of type 1 diabetes that many people don’t think much of initially, Dr. Basina says. Why does this happen? When too much sugar (a.k.a. glucose) builds up in the bloodstream, the kidneys help filter out the excess glucose, the Mayo Clinic explains. But when the kidneys are overwhelmed, excess glucose gets flushed out of the body through the urine. You might notice yourself running to the restroom more often than usual throughout the day or waking up in the middle of the night to pee, Dr. Basina says.
Increased Thirst
When the body flushes out extra sugar through the urine, it brings fluids from the tissues along with it, the Mayo Clinic explains. This dehydrates the body, causing you to feel greater thirst. The level of thirst can range from one individual to another, Dr. Basina says. You might find yourself reaching for a second glass of water at meals… or guzzling liquids all day, unable to quench your thirst. (It can also become a vicious cycle, with the increased liquid intake causing even more urination, the Mayo Clinic says.)
Increased Hunger
Without enough insulin to let glucose into the body’s cells, your organs and muscles are unable to get the energy they need from the food you eat, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This means even if you eat well, your body constantly feels like it’s “starving” for energy and drives you to eat even when you’ve just had a meal, Dr. Wilkes explains. Again, the degree of severity here can range from one person to another, Dr. Basina says. While one person may notice they are eating more snacks than usual, someone else can feel downright ravenous.
Unintentional Weight Loss
You may be losing weight even while eating more than usual. This happens for a few reasons. One, you’re peeing out glucose from the food you eat, so your body is missing out on those calories, according to the Mayo Clinic. The dehydration from excessive urination can also make you lose water weight. Plus, when your cells can’t get glucose from food for energy your body begins to break down fat and muscle tissue to be used as an alternative source of fuel, Dr. Basina explains.
Mood Swings
Of course, you don’t need to have type 1 diabetes to have an off day or low mood. A lot of different physical and mental health conditions can make you feel crabby—but it’s worth noting because T1D can lead to mood changes as well. Depriving your of energy and feeling hungry all the time definitely impacts your mental health, Dr. Wilkes says. Research shows that high blood sugar in people with diabetes is associated with negative effects on mood, including increased sadness and anxiety (as well depression). Irritability can also occur, Dr. Basina says.
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