Recognising the early warning signs and symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes aka Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 is truly life-saving. The initial changes are subtle, but if you are in tune with your body, you can feel the changes deterring your normal routine. You might feel the need for frequent bathroom breaks or have abnormal hunger pangs at frequent intervals. In addition to affecting your normal routine, if left unchecked, Type 1 Diabetes can lead to serious health complications in the future.
So, it is important to know the most common signs and symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes.
The Signs of Type 1 Diabetes
The early signs of Type 1 Diabetes in adults are quite subtle. Interestingly, your loved ones might notice that something is off with you even before you do. The first signs of Type 1 Diabetes may not be very prominent or attention grabbing, but they still give a clear indication that something isn’t quite right.
Type 1 Diabetes traditionally occurs in childhood or adolescence. However, it can also develop in adulthood and is often referred to as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), also known as late-onset Type 1 Diabetes.
Frequent/ Excessive Urination (Polyuria)
This is the classic indication of Type 1 Diabetes. When someone is making constant bathroom trips, though their water intake remains unchanged, it is a visible clue of Diabetes. The body struggling with excess glucose build-up due to impaired insulin will put pressure on the kidneys to filter out the excess glucose. The kidneys work overtime to filter it out.
The kidneys can only handle a certain amount of glucose at a time. When the blood sugar level exceeds a certain threshold, the kidneys can’t keep up and start spilling glucose into the urine. The presence of glucose in the urine causes an osmotic pull that attracts more water into the urine. The result is a high urine output.
This leads to frequent trips to the bathroom, with urination occurring several times within a short time. This leads to a feeling of constant urgency, making it hard to lead a normal life.
Increased Hunger (Polyphagia)
When an individual starts feeling excessive hunger which doesn’t seem to be satisfied even after a full meal, it could be an indication of Type 1 Diabetes. This feeling of constant hunger would push one towards consuming unusually large quantities of food. The reason behind is to do with how your body responds to energy needs for normal functioning.
Usually the body works on internal energy generation. When the cells are unable to access the glucose in the bloodstream due to lack of insulin, they are unable to produce energy. The brain interprets the signals from the energy-starved cells as a need for more food intake. This results in frequent hunger pangs.
Yes! In an effort to get more glucose into the cells for energy generation, the body sends signals to urge the individual to eat more. However, even after consuming food, the body is unable to process the glucose due to the lack of insulin. The cycle of hunger continues throughout the day until the blood sugar levels are brought under control.
Individuals might also start craving for large servings and high-carb foods to satisfy their hunger pangs. This can impact mood and daily activities.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Though losing weight is one of the vital life goals for many, sudden unexplained weight loss is a cause for concern. This might seem more puzzling for individuals who are eating more food than usual (due to Polyphagia.)
In many cases, unexplained weight loss is one of the initial signs of Type 1 diabetes. It occurs when the energy deprived cells which are unable to access the sugar in the bloodstream due to lack of insulin, start deviating towards alternative energy sources – primarily fats and muscle tissues. There starts the breakdown of fats and muscles, leading to weight loss.
In the absence of Insulin, the body continues breaking down its own fat and muscle tissues to meet its energy needs, leading to significant weight loss.
Irritability & Behavioural changes
The constantly fluctuating blood sugar levels can affect your mood drastically. It can lead to increased irritability, mood swings, and even depression.
Additionally, the circle of frequent urination and sleep deprivation due to frequent night time bathroom jaunts, leads to irritability & behavioural changes.
Fruity-scented breath
This sign isn’t as pleasant as it sounds. When your body begins breaking down stored fat for energy, fatty acids are released into your bloodstream. Your liver then converts these fatty acids into ketones, which are acidic byproducts used as an alternative energy source. When ketone levels become too high, it leads to a serious condition called Diabetic Ketoacidosis.
Acetone, one of the three types of ketones, has a distinct smell. It’s volatile and gets exhaled through your lungs, which gives your breath a noticeable fruity or sweet scent. This unusual breath odor is often a warning sign of Diabetic Ketoacidosis. If not treated in time, Diabetic Ketoacidosis can lead to coma and even death.
Rapid Breathing
Excessive ketones lead to acidosis aka high acidity in your bloodstream. Your body tries to compensate for acidosis by expelling more carbon dioxide than normal. This leads to rapid breathing and unusually deep breaths. This is unpleasant and has the potential to affect your daily activities.
The Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
As Type 1 Diabetes is a condition that creeps in suddenly, you might not always be able to detect the initial signs on point. Here are a few obvious Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes that might indicate the need to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Excessive Thirst (Polydipsia)
Excessive Thirst is one of the first symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes, more often occurring alongside frequent urination. That said, excessive thirst is not always a cause for concern. Occasionally after a hard day’s work, we might feel dehydrated and get extremely thirsty. Usually this feeling disappears after proper water intake.
But in Type 1 Diabetes, the increased loss of fluids through urine leads to dehydration and the craving for more water. The sensation of thirst is the body’s way to replenish the lost fluids. The surprising thing is that even after drinking large amounts of water, individuals with Type 1 Diabetes may still feel persistent thirst.
Frequent urination and excessive thirst will keep occuring in an infinite loop. The feeling of unquenchable thirst can cause discomfort and frustration.
Fatigue & Weakness
Fatigue is a perfectly normal condition that affects us all, especially after a considerable physical exertion. But, if you feel overwhelmingly tired and weak without any discernible reason, it could be a probable symptom of Type 1 Diabetes. Since your cells aren’t getting glucose for fuel, your energy levels are at an all time low, leaving you wiped out.
It is time to check with your doctor…not just to detect diabetes, but also to lead a normal and active life.
Blurry Vision
Blurred vision happens if your eyes are unable to focus due to internal or external causes. Fluctuating blood sugar levels affects the shape and size of your eye’s lens, thereby affecting their focus. So, a sudden vision change or blur is one of the major symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes. Your Opthomologist will be able to detect and advise you on unusual changes.
Nausea & Vomiting
Diabetic Ketoacidosis causes nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Additionally, it can lead to dry mouth or skin. Elevated blood sugar levels can lead to dehydration, often leading to nausea. High blood sugar levels overtime can cause nerve damage, a condition called diabetic neuropathy. When the damage extends to affecting the vagus nerve (which controls stomach muscles), it can lead to gastroparesis. This condition causes the stomach to empty more slowly than usual. This leads to nausea, vomiting, and bloating.
Slow-healing Sores
Prolonged high blood sugar levels impairs your body’s ability to heal wounds or fight infections. This is one of the vital symptoms to look out for. If your wounds show no signs of healing or you find yourself battling one infection after another, it is time to check with your doctor.
Though the signs and symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes vary from person to person, men and women experience some signs and symptoms that are more pronounced or unique, due to hormonal or physiological differences.
So, it is imperative to have an understanding of them.
The Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes in Men
Apart from the general signs and symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes, men experience
Erectile dysfunction
The nerve damage (Diabetic Neuropathy) caused due to prolonged exposure to high blood sugar levels and the resultant impaired blood circulation, leads to erectile dysfunction.
Reduced muscle mass
Muscle atrophy occurs when the body loses muscle tissues on a regular basis, for energy generation.
Decreased testosterone levels
Impaired insulin production causes hormonal imbalance. Additionally, elevated blood sugar levels lead to an overproduction of cortisol, the stress hormone. This leads to suppressed testosterone production.
Increased risk of urinary and skin infections
High blood sugar levels reduce the body’s ability to fight infections, thereby making men more prone to urinary tract, skin, and gum infections.
The Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes in Women
Type 1 Diabetes can present differently in women due to unique hormonal and reproductive factors. So, it is imperative for women to be more aware about the specific signs and symptoms that signal the onset of Type 1 Diabetes.
Vaginal yeast infections
Women with Type 1 Diabetes might experience an increased frequency of vaginal yeast infections due to high sugar levels. It happens because the glucose excreted in the urine can feed the yeast in the body, leading to candida overgrowth, a type of yeast infection. This leads to itching, soreness, and abnormal vaginal discharge.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
The high blood sugar levels can lead to excess glucose being excreted in the urine, thereby creating an environment where bacteria can thrive. This makes women with Type 1 diabetes more prone to infections of bladder, kidneys, and urethra. This causes burning sensation during urination, frequent urge to urinate, cloudy/strong smelling urine etc.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Women with Type 1 Diabetes are at an increased risk of PCOS due to hormonal imbalance and sometimes due to excessive insulin in blood (due to Type 1 Diabetes treatments like insulin therapy) This leads to increased risk of infertility as PCOS can disrupt ovulation and hormone production.
Irregular menstrual cycles
High blood sugar levels can interfere with the normal functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, the crucial endocrine system pathway, that regulates reproduction, sexual development, and hormonal balance in the body. This affects reproductive health, sexual function, and secondary sexual characteristics.
While there, let’s also elaborate on the signs and symptoms to look out for in children and toddlers. While they are subtle or mistaken for other childhood ailments, it is imperative to get immediate medical advice if they persist or worsen.
The Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes in Kids & Children
Early detection of Type 1 Diabetes in children is crucial as prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent the symptoms aggravating and causing serious complications. The general signs and symptoms apply, yet we are giving down a checklist for ease.
- Bedwetting in a previously toilet-trained child.
- Unexplained weight loss despite normal or increased appetite.
- Irritability or mood changes (maybe due to sleep deprivation due to frequent urination, constant hunger pangs, and general feeling of lethargy).
- Fatigue or lack of energy.
- Stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.
- Fruity-smelling breath.
The Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes in Toddlers
Toddlers are like mini tornadoes with frequent energy bursts. They are mostly non-verbal and cannot always communicate what is bothering them. So, it is important for parents to be on alert and catch the signs of Type 1 Diabetes early on. The common signs and symptoms are:
- Excessive thirst and frequent diaper wetting.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Unusual fussiness or irritability.
- Fatigue or sleeping more than usual.
- Vomiting and stomach pain.
- Rapid breathing (a probable sign of ketoacidosis).
When it comes to Type 1 Diabetes, knowledge is power as the signs and symptoms are often too subtle at first. Catching them early and early interventions are the best way forward for a healthy future. With prompt recognition of the signs and symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes, one can effectively prevent health hazards and life-threatening complications.
