Diabetes - Symptoms - Better Medicine

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Symptoms can vary among individuals and the type of diabetes. Common symptoms include excessive thirst and excessive urination.

Type 1 diabetes generally develops quickly, often in children, and symptoms can be severe and occur suddenly. In contrast, type 2 diabetes generally develops gradually from a condition called prediabetes, and symptoms may not occur or be noticeable for years.

Pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes often do not have symptoms, but they may experience excessive thirst and excessive urination.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:

Excessive hunger
Feeling very thirsty
Flu-like symptoms
Frequent urination
Irritability and mood changes
Severe fatigue
Vomiting
Weight loss

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

Any of the type 1 diabetes symptoms above
Blurred or changing vision
Erectile dysfunction
Frequent infections, especially yeast or fungal infections
Slow-healing wounds or bruises
Tingling or other unusual sensations in the hands or feet
Weakness

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

Symptoms of diabetes that can indicate a dangerous change in your blood sugar level or a life-threatening complication, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, can occur suddenly and rapidly.

Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and diabetic ketoacidosis include:

Abdominal pain
Confusion
Dry skin and mouth
Frequent urination
Severe thirst
Shortness of breath
Smell of fruit on the breath
Vomiting
Weakness

Symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) include:

Aggressive behavior
Confusion
Extreme irritability
Feeling shaky or faint
Headache
Hunger
Pounding heart (palpitations)
Sweating or clammy skin
Trembling

Very high or low blood sugar levels that remain untreated can lead to:

Loss of consciousness and coma
Seizures
Death

Get immediate help (call 911) if you are with someone who has diabetes and who is exhibiting any life-threatening symptoms or has passed out.

INTRODUCTION

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a general term for a group of metabolic disorders that affect the body’s ability to process and use sugar (glucose) for energy. Normally when you eat, the pancreas, an organ located in the upper abdomen, produces the hormone insulin to move glucose from the bloodstream into cells where it can be used for energy and growth. With diabetes, either the pancreas produces too little or no insulin, or the body’s cells don’t respond to the insulin.... Read more about diabetes introduction

CAUSES

What causes diabetes?

The cause of diabetes varies depending on the type of diabetes.... Read more about diabetes causes

TREATMENTS

How is diabetes treated?

At this time, there is no cure for diabetes. With regular medical care and consistent compliance with treatment, you can manage diabetes to minimize the risk of serious complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.... Read more about diabetes treatments

UP NEXT ›› Causes