What are the effects and signs?

Type 1 diabetes

This tends to develop quickly over days or a couple of weeks. The symptoms are those of hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels). Common symptoms include -:

• Increased thirst
• Passing water frequently – Known as ‘polyuria’
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• General itching and thrush infections

Children may become very unwell over just a few days with type 1 diabetes.

Less common symptoms include -:

• Cramps
• Constipation
• Blurred vision
• Recurrent skin infections and urinary tract infections

Once the condition is diagnosed and treated with insulin, none of these symptoms will be present.

If blood sugar control is poor, symptoms such as mood changes, tiredness, excessive thirst and urination may reoccur when blood sugar is too high.

If control is poor and blood sugar levels are low there may be recurrent symptoms of hypoglycaemia (hypos). Symptoms of hypos include dizziness, sweating, trembling, extreme hunger, weakness and nausea, which can progress to confusion followed by unconsciousness if not treated.

Type 2 diabetes

This causes the same symptoms but usually they are less severe and less likely to be noticed. There may be no reported symptoms of type 2 diabetes but the condition is picked up on routine testing of the urine.

Long term complications of diabetes

A high proportion of people who have had diabetes for many years will develop complications. This is more relevant in adults who have had the condition for a long time. However screening for complications starts in childhood either 5 years after diagnosis or at age 12, whichever date is sooner. Complications are rare in children. The two commonest are impaired renal function and eye problems. If complications are present there may be disabling effects related to them.

To consider H/R Mobility Severely Visually Impaired (SVI) criteria, see - Visual Impairment Deeming Provisions