Supporting you and your diagnosis
Type 1 diabetes only affects 5 percent of all people who have diabetes. It is usually diagnosed in children, adolescents, and young adults but can occur at any age. In people with type 1 diabetes the immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin. It is critical that patients with type 1 diabetes receive insulin to prevent life threatening complications.
Symptoms for type 1 diabetes are often subtle but can become severe and include:
- Heavy thirst
- Increased hunger (especially after eating)
- Dry mouth
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain in your abdomen
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
- Blurred vision
- Heavy or labored breathing
- Frequent infections of the skin, urinary tract or vagina
At Novant Health, we provide you with the knowledge and options you need to live a healthy life with your diabetes. Treatments for type 1 diabetes include:
- Taking insulin
- Carbohydrate, fat and protein intake monitoring
- Frequent blood sugar monitoring
- Eating healthy foods
- Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight
If you feel like you or your loved one have these symptoms, your Novant Health provider can help determine if you have type 1 diabetes through blood sugar tests. If you have already been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, contact a Novant Health diabetes service location near you for more information on treatments and diabetes management.