Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms

Type 1 diabetes is a devastating disease that can occur at any time from birth to the late 30s. Type 1 diabetes arises from an autoimmune attack on beta cells in the pancreas, which permanently impedes the body’s ability to create insulin. Knowing the symptoms associated with type 1 diabetes can be important, as diabetes can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own insulin producing beta cells. Without beta cells, the body cannot produce the insulin it needs to convert glucose from digested food into glycogen. This results in high levels of glucose in the bloodstream, as well as depleted energy stores that the body is now unable to replace. These problems manifest themselves as symptoms common to sufferers of diabetes.

Symptoms Caused by Excess Glucose in the Bloodstream

Frequent urination and increased thirst are two symptoms that are caused by the high levels of glucose in the blood. The high concentration of solute in the bloodstream pulls water out of tissues leaving one more thirsty than normal.

Symptoms Caused by Lack of Glycogen Stores

People who have diabetes also suffer from constant hunger and fatigue, because the lack of insulin prevents them from converting glucose into glycogen stores. This lack of glycogen stores also means that the body goes straight to fat stores and muscle tissue for energy. This could result in sudden and rapid weight loss.

Diagnosis

If you find yourself suffering from a combination of these symptoms, it is important to consult your doctor. However, these symptoms are also prevalent in type 2 diabetes sufferers. Therefore, it may fall to a physician to properly diagnose the disease and recommend specific treatment options.