Juvenile diabetes, or type I diabetes, is a disease that causes an increased level of blood sugar in the body. The insulin levels in the body are low because the patient's immune system destroys the cells responsible for secreting insulin, according to the "Journal of the American Medical Association." Insulin is the hormone responsible for controlling blood sugar levels. The signs and symptoms of type I diabetes are caused by the increased levels of sugar in the patient's blood.
Increased Urination Frequency
Juvenile diabetics tend to urinate more often. This is a typical sign of the disease, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Sugar is a diuretic, which means that excess sugar in the urine increases urine production and volume. Type I diabetics have very high levels of sugar in their urine. Therefore, these patients urinate much more frequently compared with a patient without diabetes.
Extreme Thirst
Patients with juvenile diabetes have extreme thirst, as noted by FamilyDoctor.org. They tend to lose a great amount of water because of increased urination. This process usually leads to mild to moderate dehydration. Type I diabetic patients consistently consume large amounts of water and other beverages in order to replenish their water supply.
Weight Loss and Hunger
According to the "Journal of the American Medical Association", type I diabetes can cause severe weight loss and extreme hunger. These symptoms are due to organs of the body not receiving enough sugar, and although diabetics have high blood sugar levels, the sugar is trapped in the blood and cannot reach the organs. Therefore, the body breaks down fat and muscle and uses the nutrients stored in those tissues for energy.
Blurry Vision
Juvenile diabetics also have blurry vision, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. High blood sugar levels tend to damage nerves. One of the nerves most often affected is the optic nerve. This nerve damage is termed diabetic retinopathy, and can lead to complete loss of vision if the patient does not receive treatment.
