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Type 1 Diabetes Signs and Symptoms

Type 1 diabetes (or insulin-dependent-diabetes mellitus) occurs when the pancreas loses its ability to produce insulin, leading to excessive levels of glucose in the blood. Type 1 diabetes usually starts at an early age, and affects 5 to 10 percent of people with diabetes.  There are people with a genetic susceptibility to Type 1 diabetes. However, even people with no family history of the disease can develop it. We have put together a list of common signs and symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes below.

Also, we have information on diagnosis, helpful books and valuable resources for patients.

The Signs and Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes are as follows:

  • Extreme tiredness
  • Increased and continuous thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Feelings of extreme hunger and a constant desire to eat, even if your stomach is full
  • Weight loss without dieting
  • Blurry vision
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
  • Dry, itchy skin
  • After a period of losing weight, rapid weight gain
  • Slower healing of cuts and abrasions
  • Frequent infections
  • Bedwetting in children

Ketoacidosis – a life-threatening situation that can occur with advanced Type 1 diabetes includes the symptoms above plus these ones:

  • Seizures
  • Mental confusion
  • Deep, rapid breating
  • Breath that smells “medicinal”

Type 1 diabetes occurs as a result of either a viral trigger, an environmental agent, or even a highly stressful life event can trigger the destruction of insulin-producing cells in susceptible individuals.



Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis

A rapid diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is recommended due to the serious nature of this disease.  A diagnosis is made through the testing of blood sugar.  A random glucose test with results over 200 is indicative of likely diabetes.  An alternate test is a fasting glucose test.  Blood is taken after twelve hours of fasting, and a level of more than 125 can indicate diabetes.


Books For People with Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes Type 1

Type 1 Diabetes For Dummies
Alan L. Rubin M.D.
Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults: How to Become an Expert on Your Own Diabetes (Class Health)
Ragnar Hanas


Medical Management of Type 1 Diabetes
Bruce W. Bode
Diabetes Rising: How a Rare Disease Became a Modern Pandemic, and What to Do About It
Dan Hurley

Causes of Type 1 Diabetes:

Contrary to popular belief, type 1 diabetes doesn’t just “happen”, out of the blue. Type 1 is an autoimmune response in which your immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Usually the beta cells (the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas) are being destroyed slowly,over the course of several months or years. Which means that if the disease is detected early enough, in it’s earliest stages, it may be possible to slow the progression of the disease and prevent complete beta cell burnout.

There are people with a genetic susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. However, even people with no family history of the disease can develop it. “Something”, either a viral trigger, an environmental agent, or even a highly stressful life event can trigger the destruction of insulin-producing cells in susceptible individuals.



Type 1 Diabetes Resources

General Patient Resources

  • American Diabetes Association

Learn how to cope with health issues related to your diabetes.

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-1/

  • National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)

Provides comprehensive information in a generously illustrated, easy-to-read format for people with type 1 diabetes.

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/

  • D Life

Learn about the different types of diabetes, disease management, become a part of the community, and find articles from experts. Includes news and resources.

http://www.dlife.com/

  • About . com

If you are new to type 1 diabetes or you want to learn as much as you can about this condition to support a loved one or friend who has type 1, you’ve come to the right place.

http://type1diabetes.about.com/

  • Type 1 Diabetes Forum

Diabetic secrets, tutorials, FAQ’s and all around instructions on living with type1 diabetes.

http://www.type1forum.com/

  • Diabetes Forums . com

Below you will find a list of discussions in the Type 1 Diabetes forums at the Diabetes Forums.

http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/type-1-diabetes/

  • DiabetesDigest.com

Diabetes Digest is an online magazine which offers you  easy-to-read,up-to-date articles about all aspects of managing your diabetes, including weight control, blood glucose monitoring and medications. Our magazine offers information on a wide variety of topics including caring for diabetes, current research and nutrition information.

http://www.diabetesdigest.com/



Medical Resources

  • Mayo Clinic

Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment of this lifelong endocrine condition.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-1-diabetes/DS00329

  • Web MD

Learn about type 1 diabetes symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, diet, management, and diabetes prevention.

http://diabetes.webmd.com/default.htm

  • Pub Med Health

A service of the US National Library of Medicine.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001350/


Type 1 Diabetes Resources

General Patient Resources

American Diabetes Association

Learn how to cope with health issues related to your diabetes.

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-1/

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)

Provides comprehensive information in a generously illustrated, easy-to-read format for people with type 1 diabetes.

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/

D Life

Learn about the different types of diabetes, disease management, become a part of the community, and find articles from experts. Includes news and resources.

http://www.dlife.com/

About . com

If you are new to type 1 diabetes or you want to learn as much as you can about this condition to support a loved one or friend who has type 1, you’ve come to the right place.

http://type1diabetes.about.com/

Type 1 Diabetes Forum

Diabetic secrets, tutorials, FAQ’s and all around instructions on living with type1 diabetes.

http://www.type1forum.com/

Diabetes Forums . com

Below you will find a list of discussions in the Type 1 Diabetes forums at the Diabetes Forums.

http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/type-1-diabetes/

Medical Resources

Mayo Clinic

Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, treatment of this lifelong endocrine condition.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-1-diabetes/DS00329

Web MD

Learn about type 1 diabetes symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, diet, management, and diabetes prevention.

http://diabetes.webmd.com/default.htm

Pub Med Health

A service of the US National Library of Medicine.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001350/