Watch for warning signs of diabetes

With flu season underway and November marking National Diabetes Awareness Month, we would like to remind parents and doctors that the misdiagnosis of diabetes as the flu, a stomach virus or another infection can be deadly — especially in the very young.

We at the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi are committed to raising awareness of the warning signs of diabetes, including thirst, frequent urination, bed-wetting, nausea and vomiting, and fatigue. At diagnosis over 40% children with type 1 are already suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis, a breakdown of fat by the liver that can lead to coma and death.

Earlier diagnosis will mean fewer children will suffer from this life-threatening condition.

Even infants can get diabetes, yet it is often missed by those unaware that the disease can strike at such a young age.

For instance, when a mother in north Mississippi noticed that her 3-year-old daughter was frequently thirsty and wetting the bed, she thought the child might have a urinary tract infection. But after a relative suggested diabetes as the culprit the doctor was dismissive.

Everyone was stunned when the child, already in DKA, was airlifted to a hospital, her blood glucose approaching 800. (Normal fasting levels range from around 70 to 99 mg/dl.)

Learn to recognize the warning signs of diabetes in your family, friends, co-workers, and patients before irreversible damage has been done.

For free posters of our campaign “You’re Never Too Young”, displaying warning signs, call (601) 957-7878 or visit www.msdiabetes.org.

Mary Fortune

Executive vice president, Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi