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Pediatric Services

For more information:

Children's at Egleston Diabetes Education Program, 404-785-1724

Children's at Scottish Rite Diabetes Education Program, 404-785-4841

Signs of Diabetes

The many signs of diabetes include:

Urinating a lot. When there's not enough insulin to move glucose to the cells, the glucose stays in the blood, causing it to rise. The body has to get rid of this extra glucose and spills it into urine. The glucose draws out the body's water with it, so you have to go to the bathroom more than usual.

Drinking a lot. When the body loses fluid from high blood glucose, it may get dehydrated (dried out) and become thirsty. So a person with high blood glucose tends to drink more.

Eating a lot. Since glucose is not getting into the cells, the body does not get energy. The brain asks for more food, so people with high blood glucose may eat more.

Energy loss. The less glucose in the body's cells, the less energy a person has. People with high blood glucose are more likely to feel tired.

Weight loss. Without enough insulin, the body uses its fat for energy. As fat is lost, your child may lose weight, too. Also, when he gets dehydrated from going to the bathroom a lot, you lose weight from fluid loss.

Headaches, stomachaches, back pain, nausea or vomiting. When the body uses fat for energy, blood glucose and urine ketones can rise and cause these signs. Deep, rapid breathing (called Kussmaul breathing) also can occur when ketones are very high.