From the Nurse’s Office

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month.  The combined efforts of the Jordan Bennett Weiss Fund and the City of Newton Health and Human Services Department are working to educate the community about the warning signs of diabetes.

Knowledge of the warning signs is the greatest weapon against this disease.  Sometimes the symptoms may be obvious and sometimes they are not.  Symptoms which might appear to be unrelated, when viewed in the context of the list of warning signs, may suggest intervention.  Please familiarize yourself with the warning signs/symptoms of diabetes.

Warning Signs of Diabetes

A Collaboration between the Jordan Bennett Weiss Fund and the City of Newton Health Department

JBW Fund – PO Box 590223 Newton Centre MA 02459  – JBWfund@aol.com

Familiarize yourself with the warning signs / symptoms of diabetes. Sometimes the symptoms are very obvious, and other times they are not.  Early detection and knowledge of the warning signs is your greatest weapon against the disease and its complications!*

TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS: These symptoms often occur suddenly and must receive immediate medical attention.

  • Excessive thirst
  • Frequent urination, sometimes exhibited by return of bedwetting in previously trained children (urination in large quantities day and night)
  • Sudden vision changes
  • A sweet, fruity odor present on one’s breath/body (caused by high amounts of  ketones)
  • Extreme hunger (increased appetite)
  • Rapid or unexplained weight loss
  • Fatigue (weak and tired)
  • Irritability and mood changes
  • Drowsiness, lethargy
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Rapid, hard breathing (heavy, labored)
  • Confusion, Stupor, Unconsciousness

TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: These symptoms occur gradually, however, they must receive immediate medical attention.

  • Blurred vision
  • Tingling or numbness in the legs, feet or fingers
  • Frequent infections of the skin
  • Recurring skin, gum or urinary tract infections
  • Darker patches of skin usually in neck folds
  • Itching of skin and/or genitals
  • Drowsiness
  • Slow healing of cuts and bruises
  • Any of the symptoms listed under type 1 diabetes

*Please note:  Many of these symptoms can be related to illnesses that are not associated with diabetes, including the flu. There should be no FEVER with diabetes. This is a critical factor in differentiating between the flu!  Only a healthcare professional can provide appropriate diagnostic tests and treatments.

For more information, log onto www.diabetes.org, www.jdrf.org, www.joslin.org, or www.jbwfund.org.

Stay healthy,

Sue