Type 1 Diabetes

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop quickly, over a few days to weeks, and are caused by high blood sugar. At first, symptoms may be overlooked or mistaken for another illness, like the Reference flu Opens New Window.

High blood sugar symptoms include:

• Urinating a lot, which may be more noticeable at night. The kidneys are trying to get rid of the excess sugar in the blood. To do that, they have to get rid of more water. More water means more urine.
• Being very thirsty. This happens if you urinate so often that you lose enough water to become dehydrated.
• Losing weight without trying. This happens because you are dehydrated. Weight loss may also happen if you are losing all of those sugar calories in your urine instead of using them.
• Increased hunger. You feel hungry because your body isn't using all the calories that it can. Many of them leave your body in your urine instead.
• Blurry vision. When sugar builds up in the lens of your eye, it sucks extra water into your eye. This changes the shape of the lens and blurs your vision.
• Feeling very tired. You feel tired for the same reason you feel hungry. Your body isn't using the calories you are eating, and your body isn't getting the energy it needs.

See more about Reference symptoms of high blood sugar.

Diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms

Symptoms of Reference diabetic ketoacidosis are:

• Flushed, hot, dry skin.
• Loss of appetite, belly pain, and vomiting.
• A strong, fruity breath odor.
• Rapid, deep breathing.
• Restlessness, drowsiness, difficulty waking up, confusion, or coma. Young children may lack interest in their normal activities.

Low blood sugar

Common symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• Sweating.
• Shakiness.
• Weakness.
• Hunger.
• Confusion.

You can pass out when your blood sugar gets very low.

See more about Reference symptoms of low blood sugar.

If you aren't able to tell when your blood sugar is too low (Reference hypoglycemic unawareness Opens New Window), it's a good idea to test your blood sugar often.

Risk factors for high and low blood sugar

• Age. Teens are at great risk for high blood sugar, which can lead to Reference diabetic ketoacidosis Opens New Window. Teens are often concerned about their weight and body image, and they may skip insulin injections to lose weight.
• Tight blood sugar control. Tight control of blood sugar helps prevent complications, such as eye, kidney, heart, blood vessel, and nerve disease. But it does put you at risk for frequent low blood sugar levels.
• Adolescence. The rapid growth spurts and changing Reference hormone Opens New Window levels of adolescence can make it difficult to keep blood sugar levels within your Reference target range. Your target range is the blood sugar goal you set with your doctor.
• Psychiatric conditions. Reference Eating disorders Opens New Window, Reference depression Opens New Window, Reference anxiety disorder Opens New Window, Reference panic disorder Opens New Window, and addiction to alcohol or drugs increase the risk of frequent high and low blood sugar levels.

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