Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes in Adults

If you’re wondering about the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes in adults, you’re not alone. Type 1 diabetes is a serious autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone essential to getting energy from food. It’s not related to diet or lifestyle, it can’t be prevented—and currently there is no cure.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes in adults may occur suddenly

It’s important to realize that early signs of type 1 diabetes in adults often develop quickly and may sometimes be brushed off—or mistaken for illness. Here’s what you should look out for:

Frequent Urination
If you’re constantly running to the bathroom, your kidneys may be trying to rid your blood of excess sugar, resulting in an increased need to urinate.

Extreme thirst
Increased urination can then result in dehydration, which will leave you feeling more thirsty than normal.

Increased appetite
If you’re suddenly hungry all the time it may be because your body isn’t able to get proper energy from the food you eat.

Unexpected weight loss
Along the same lines, if your body is losing sugar in your urine instead of absorbing it, you may lose weight without trying.

Other symptoms of type 1 diabetes in adults

Other diabetic symptoms in adults include feeling drowsy or lethargic; sudden vision changes; fruity or sweet-smelling breath; heavy or labored breathing; and stupor or unconsciousness. If you do have high blood sugar and it goes untreated, it could develop into diabetic ketoacidosis—a life-threatening condition. So please see your doctor immediately if you are exhibiting these warning signs.