Knowing the warning signs for type 1 diabetes (medically known as diabetes mellitus) could save a life.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes (these may occur suddenly):
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<li>Extreme thirst</li>
<li>Frequent urination</li>
<li>Sudden vision changes</li>
<li>Sugar in urine</li>
<li>Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath</li>
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<li>Increased appetite</li>
<li>Sudden weight loss</li>
<li>Drowsiness, lethargy</li>
<li>Heavy, labored breathing</li>
<li>Stupor, unconsciousness</li>
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If you or someone you love exhibits one or more of these symptoms, call a doctor immediately.

Education about the symptoms of type 1 diabetes is critical because type 1 can easily be mistaken for more common illnesses, such as the flu, and misdiagnosis can have tragic consequences. JDRF has literature which lists the symptoms and treatments of type 1 diabetes and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)–<a href="http://jdrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/WarningSigns.pdf" target="_blank">available for download here</a>.

As many as 3 million Americans may have type 1 diabetes. Each year, more than 15,000 children and 15,000 adults – approximately 80 people per day – are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the U.S.

Knowing the symptoms of type 1 diabetes can save a life. Please share what you've learned with everyone–family, friends, teachers, doctors. Until a cure is found, the more who know, the more lives will be saved.

Help JDRF raise awareness about the symptoms of type 1 diabetes–a chronic, debilitating autoimmune disease that affects adults as well as children. As with many diseases, early diagnosis goes a long way toward preventing serious health problems, and even death.