Are red gums and being thirsty a sign of type I diabetes?

[jmartin24]

MY 2 1/2 year old son is always thirsty.  As soon as he wakes up in the morning he says he is thirsty.  Just recently, he started waking up at night saying he is thirsty.  I checked his shirt last night and it was damp so he must have been sweaty.  We also noticed that his gums were a little red this weekend and not today, they are inflammed red and he is fussy.  I read on one site that red gums might be associated with type I diabetes.  I am worried that his desire to drink a lot may be an early sign.  My mother and brother are both diabetics, so should I be concerned? Is this genetic?  He is also on the thin side but he does eat.  

[JDRF-VOL-RL]

Hello.  I'm not a medical professional, just the parent of a kid with diabetes.  I think that the symptoms you are seeing are more than early signs, unfortunately.  They all are symptoms of diabetes.  Diabetes does have a genetic component, although genetics alone do not cause diabetes.  I would suggest you get him to a doctor as soon as possible.  Good luck.