Why Should You #KnowtheSymptoms?

You have probably seen that throughout the month of November, we have been pushing for everyone to #KnowtheSymptoms of diabetes. We thought this was an incredibly important message to spread throughout #DiabetesAwarenessMonth and we would like tell you why…nnWorking at the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, we talk to diabetics and their families all day and it’s amazing how similar some of their stories are. Before they are directly affected by the disease, most people don’t know what diabetes really is, what the symptoms are, or how it can really affect a person’s life. That’s why we need to take these steps to educate people. If you know the symptoms of diabetes, you can recognize them and encourage anyone showing the symptoms to see a doctor and inquire about diabetes.nnPre-diagnosis, most parents recognize that there is something physically wrong with their child, but they don’t know what. Sometimes that can lead to a child not being properly diagnosed for a week, a month, a year. When diagnosis is delayed, the child isn’t getting the proper treatment, meaning that long term complications are more likely to occur. Even worse, a child could have a seizure, go into a coma, or die if a diagnosis isn’t made. This is downright frightening.nnThe only way to avoid these occurrences is to educate. Know the symptoms, read reputable sources, and ask the right questions. Then tell your friends what you know to spread the message.nnIn our campaign, we mentioned that early detection can save a life. That’s not just something we say because it sounds impactful. It’s real. You can save a life by simply knowing the symptoms of diabetes:n

Extreme thirstnFrequent urinationnLethargynIncreased appetitenSudden weight lossnSudden vision changesnFruity/Sweet odor on the breathnUnconsciousness

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