Medically reviewed and verified by Kate Burke, MD, MHA
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Diabetes is a lifelong condition. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, the hormone responsible for controlling the amount of glucose in your blood. This is a serious health condition and can lead to many different symptoms. Understanding these common type 1 diabetes symptoms, their underlying causes, and appropriate treatment strategies is crucial for early detection and effective management.
6 Common Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms To Look Out For
PatientsLikeMe will dive into some of the most common symptoms to watch for. As an autoimmune condition, type 1 diabetes can affect anyone. Scientists still do not understand what causes it, although there are a few risk factors that increase the chance of having the condition. Here are the 6 most common signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes you should be aware of.
Excessive Thirst
People with type 1 diabetes often experience persistent and extreme thirst due to dehydration caused by high blood sugar levels. Known as polydipsia, this dehydration can lead to nausea, dizziness, headaches, and fainting.
Why does this happen? In people with diabetes, polydipsia is caused by increased blood glucose levels. When these levels increase, your body starts to produce more urine in an attempt to remove the extra sugar from your body. This often results in fluid loss and dehydration. Because your body is losing fluids, your brain will signal that you need to drink more. This leads to the feeling of intense thirst commonly associated with diabetes.
Drinking water regularly to stay hydrated is important. Additionally, managing blood sugar levels through insulin therapy and certain lifestyle changes can help with excessive thirst.
Frequent Urination
Frequent urination, or polyuria, is a common symptom that can lead to extreme dehydration. In type 1 diabetes, the kidneys lose some of their ability to reabsorb glucose efficiently. Normally, when your kidneys create urine, the excess sugar is directed back into the blood stream. The hormone insulin is responsible for this. With type 1 diabetics, because their insulin levels have dropped, this sugar ends up in the urine. There, it pulls more water and leads to more frequent urination.
This process flushes out water that your body needs to function. Over time, this will leave you dehydrated and with feelings of fatigue. Proper insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, and hydration can help manage polyuria. Controlling blood sugar levels can alleviate excessive urine production.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Weight is influenced by several factors. Your age, overall health, calorie intake: they all play a role. Similarly, unexplained weight loss can come about from a variety of causes! Despite maintaining regular food intake, individuals with type 1 diabetes may experience rapid and unexplained weight loss.
As we mentioned before, people with type 1 diabetes do not have enough insulin. This stops the body from getting glucose from the blood into the cells to use as energy. Instead, it begins breaking down muscle and fat stores for fuel, resulting in weight loss.
Insulin therapy is essential to facilitate glucose uptake into cells, preventing further breakdown of muscle and fat tissues. Proper nutrition and regular meals can help maintain a healthy weight.
Fatigue
Fatigue is more than just feeling tired. When you are tired, a good night's sleep or a nap will help you feel refreshed and ready to go. Fatigue is ongoing, and no amount of sleep will help alleviate the constant feeling of exhaustion. So why does diabetes cause fatigue? Research has yet to find a conclusive answer, but blood glucose fluctuation is thought to be a primary driver. Insufficient insulin prevents glucose from entering cells, leading to energy depletion. Inflammation, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and improper function from organs like the kidney or thyroid can also contribute.
Healthy habits are at the heart of good health. Regularly exercising and ensuring you are getting proper nutrition will help tremendously with fatigue. Effectively managing blood sugar levels, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques can also help improve energy levels.
Vision Loss
Your eyes are complex. They have several blood vessels and nerves that run through them. When an excess of glucose builds up in blood vessels, this can lead to damage wherever the blood flows, including the eyes. These damaged blood vessels then can swell and leak fluid, which causes blurry vision or can stop blood flow altogether. When blood sugar levels change quickly, your lens's shape can be affected. This will also lead to blurry vision. There are a number of eye conditions, called diabetic eye disease, that can occur.
This will not be anything new, but tight blood sugar control is crucial for managing blurred vision. Lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol can also help. Doctors may recommend you stop smoking or start wearing sunglasses when outside. Exposure to the sun's rays can speed up the progression of cataracts. Regular eye examinations are also recommended to monitor eye health.
Increased Hunger
Despite eating regularly, individuals with type 1 diabetes may experience persistent hunger and food cravings. This condition is also called polyphagia, or hyperphagia, and eating typically does nothing to alleviate it. Without sufficient insulin to facilitate glucose uptake into cells, the body's cells remain starved for energy. This then triggers hunger signals. You may have feelings of hunger despite eating regularly, intense food cravings, or digestive problems like diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn.
The best way to manage this symptom is by treating the underlying condition. Careful blood sugar monitoring and the administration of insulin are key steps. Balanced meals and snacks can help manage hunger and stabilize blood sugar levels. Healthy lifestyle adjustments, such as regular exercise, good sleep habits, and managing stress can have a significant impact.
Click here to learn more about Type 1 Diabetes.
Tracking Your Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms
Recognizing these common symptoms of type 1 diabetes is crucial for prompt diagnosis and management. Effective treatment strategies include insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, proper nutrition, regular exercise, and support from healthcare professionals to achieve optimal health and well-being.
Nearly 1 million people have joined PatientsLikeMe. You can track your health, monitor the efficacy of treatment, and talk to people experiencing the same thing as you. Creating an account is free! Join today.