Type 1 Diabetes| Symptoms & Causes
What causes type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an immune system attack on the pancreas that impairs insulin production. Experts are not sure why some children develop type 1 diabetes. Children whose parents or close relatives have type 1 diabetes are at greater risk of developing the disease. Being exposed to a virus may trigger type 1 diabetes in these children.
What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can appear quickly, seemingly out of nowhere. They include:
- frequent urination
- extreme thirst
- extreme hunger
- weight loss
- cuts or bruises that take a long time to heal
- blurry vision
- fatigue
What are the risks of type 1 diabetes?
A child with type 1 diabetes is at risk for other autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune thyroid disease, celiac disease, and in rare cases, Addison’s disease.
