I found out at a recent Diabetes Educators conference that children have died because their symptoms were not recognized as diabetes, they were not diagnosed and treated, and they died. Knowing the symptoms of diabetes can save a life.
I was shocked to hear this because I thought Type 1 Diabetes was always diagnosed since the symptoms are so severe.
My first husband lost 30 pounds in a month, had excessive thirst and urination. He knew something was drastically wrong and went to the doctor and started insulin that day. I know Type 2 Diabetes develops slowly, often without noticeable symptoms, and 1 in 4 don’t know they have it. I thought Type 1 was always diagnosed, but I was basing my erroneous assumption on stories of adults getting Type 1.
Now I want to spread the word about the symptoms of diabetes and try to stop another child from dying needlessly.
First, here’s more about Type 1 diabetes. It happens when something destroys the Beta cells of the pancreas that make insulin. We can’t survive long without insulin and if you don’t make it, you need to inject it. If you don’t, glucose builds up in your blood instead of entering your body’s cells. Then toxic acids build up in the blood, a life threatening condition called Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). If untreated, death occurs.
Children are dying because the symptoms of diabetes are not recognized as diabetes. They are diagnosed with “intestinal flu” or “stomach bug”, told to rest and drink fluids. They are not given the insulin they need.
Here are the symptoms of Diabetes:
| EARLY Signs and Symptoms | LATER Signs and Symptoms |
| Frequent urination | Nausea and vomiting |
| Increased thirst | Weakness |
| Blurred vision | Abdominal pain |
| Fatigue | Fruity smelling breath |
| Headache | Shortness of breath |
| Dry mouth | |
| Confusion | |
| Coma |
It’s easy to see how this misdiagnosis can happen and no one is to blame. Going forward, it’s important people think about diabetes as a cause for these symptoms.
Here’s the Main Point-
If a child has nausea and vomiting for 2-3 days, ask the Health Care Provider to test for diabetes!
Testing for diabetes is simple. A drop of blood on a test strip or dipping a strip into urine is all it takes. We, in the diabetes community, hope that if someone goes to their health care provider with the symptoms listed above, this test is done routinely. If someone has a sore throat, they are tested for strep. We want the same with diabetes.
Learn more about Type1 diabetes from two diabetes parents.
Please share this with friends, family, and health care providers. Help save a life!
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