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Public urged to get to know the signs and symptoms of Type1 diabetes

Doctors at Northampton General Hospital and Diabetes UK are asking the public to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.

People are urged to seek medical advice if they or their children have the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes.

Without early intervention children and adults can become seriously unwell with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and need emergency hospital treatment. However if the symptoms are spotted early enough, treatment and support can be given help individuals to manage their condition.

Doctors are especially asking parents and carers to learn the 4 T’s of diabetes to help to diagnose children with the condition sooner.

What are the 4Ts?

  • Toilet – Going to the toilet a lot, bed wetting by a previously dry child or heavier nappies in babies
  • Thirsty – Being really thirsty and not being able to quench the thirst
  • Tired – Feeling more tired than usual
  • Thinner – Losing weight or looking thinner than usual

Type 1 diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition which causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to become too high. It happens when your body can’t produce enough insulin to control blood glucose levels.

Anne Smith, Consultant Paediatrician, explained “It’s really important that everyone knows the symptoms of type 1 diabetes which can be most easily thought of as the 4 T’s – toilet, thirsty, tired and thinner. This is something which parents and carers should familiarise themselves with at any time. We know some people may want to delay a trip to the doctors or hospital during COVID-19 but it’s really key that people seek help early.

“The earlier we can treat children or adults with Type 1 diabetes, the better we can make the treatment of their condition. We can support them with the information they need as they adjust to the changes. Our children and young people’s diabetes service provides close ongoing support and guidance for children and parents when the diagnosis of diabetes is made, to help them to adjust. By getting this help sooner serious illness can be prevented meaning adults or children are able to carry on with normal life.

“The symptoms can come on very quickly over a few days or weeks, so it’s important to get medical advice as soon as possible from a GP. If you or your child become seriously unwell please use the NHS 111 service or Accident and Emergency.

“It’s important to also remind people that our teams are still here providing care to those who need us. Our children and young people’s diabetes team offer support for young people and their families throughout diagnosis and treatment”.

Further support on diabetes is available from:

Posted on Wednesday 29th April 2020
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