Symptoms of Diabetes

Not everyone will have symptoms, but here are some warning signs to look for

How do you know if you have diabetes? If you have type 1 diabetes, your symptoms are fairly clear cut. But for people with type 2 diabetes, the warning signs are less obvious—if noticeable at all. Here’s what to look for.

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

• Extreme hunger
• Rapid weight loss
• Extreme thirst
• Excessive urination

The classic presentation of type 1 diabetes is extreme hunger, as the body tries to compensate for the inability of cells to use the glucose (blood sugar) created from food, and the rapid weight loss that occurs as a result. Patients experience excessive thirst and urination because their kidneys, in an attempt to keep glucose levels in balance, excrete as much excess glucose as possible in the urine.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, those with type 2 don’t usually lose weight or become excessively hungry or thirsty. And because many people experience no symptoms, type 2 diabetes is often discovered only during routine blood tests.

However, if symptoms of type 2 diabetes do exist, they usually include:

• Increased urination (sometimes as often as every hour)
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Frequent vaginal or yeast infections
• Dry mouth
• Slow-healing sores or cuts

More Dr. Whitaker Advice on Diabetes

• What causes diabetes?
• How to treat diabetes naturally
• How to plan a diabetic diet