In a post that has more than 1 million likes, singer Nick Jonas recently took to Instagram to reflect on the 14-year anniversary of his Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and shared how the disease has affected his life.
“This experience has shaped how I approach my health – working out, eating well, and always thinking about my blood sugar and insulin needs,” Jonas wrote in the caption.
The 27-year-old has been open in the past about his battle with the disease, but he recently shared in an interview with Cigar Aficionado that he was close to falling into a coma at the time of his diagnosis due to his blood sugar levels being nine times higher than normal, People reports. Leading up to his diagnosis, Jonas lost a considerable amount of weight and developed a never-ending thirst for sugary drinks – two telltale signs of diabetes.
“Type 1 diabetes is an unpreventable autoimmune disease in which the body does not produce insulin,” explains Dr. Vidhya Viswanathan, a pediatric endocrinologist at Advocate Children’s Hospital. “It is most common to see a diagnosis in children and young adults, especially during the years of puberty, although it can occur at any age.”
Dr. Viswanathan says that almost all children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes present with similar early warning signs.
She advises parents to be aware of the following signs and symptoms:
- Excessive thirst and frequent urination
- Increased appetite
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bedwetting
“Often, a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis happens unexpectedly and both parents and the child are overwhelmed with questions and concern,” Dr. Viswanathan says. “It’s important to remember that this is a condition that can be managed by utilizing insulin therapy effectively and with a well-balanced, nutritious diet.”
