The symptoms of diabetes depend on the type you have. They may develop suddenly or slowly over weeks or even days. They may appear before or after you've been diagnosed with diabetes, but they're vital because the longer high blood sugar goes untreated, the more damage it can cause.
Common symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination and excessive thirst, which often happen together. Frequent urination is a sign that your kidneys are working overtime to filter out excess glucose from the blood. Over time, this can lead to dehydration. Excessive thirst is also a red flag, significantly if drinking more doesn't help quench your thirst.
The symptoms of diabetes depend on the type you have
Other symptoms of diabetes include blurred vision; numbness or pain in the arms, legs, or feet; and yeast infections, which occur when the organisms that cause them (Candida albicans) thrive in high sugar levels. If you have these symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Insulin helps the body get the energy it needs by moving sugar into cells for fuel. People with type 1 diabetes often need to check their blood sugar twice daily. They may also need to change their insulin doses based on their foods.
Some of the early symptoms of type 1 diabetes are thirst and frequent urination (polyuria). Kids and adults with these symptoms should see their doctor for a diagnosis.
Other problems related to diabetes include skin problems such as rashes and blisters; gum disease; eye problems like blurry vision; and poor blood flow to the feet, which can cause open sores and infections.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes occur when the body isn't getting enough insulin and can't use the insulin it does make. In many cases, people with this condition can manage their blood glucose levels through diet and exercise alone, but some also need to take insulin.
High blood sugar levels cause the kidneys to flush excess glucose into the urine, leading to frequent urination and excessive thirst. Yeast infections (often in the genital area) and skin problems, such as numbness, tingling, or itching in the feet and legs, may also occur. Depending on your treatment plan, it would be best to get regular blood glucose tests. This may include an A1C test, which measures your average blood sugar level over three months, or an oral glucose tolerance test, in which you drink a sweet liquid and have your blood drawn several hours later.
Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
Most women with gestational diabetes don't have any symptoms. But, if you do have symptoms of gestational diabetes — like being thirsty all the time and needing to pee a lot — you should talk to your doctor. You may also feel tired all the time and have a dry mouth.
Your doctor will test your blood sugar to screen for the condition and then give you a follow-up glucose tolerance test. In the test, you drink a sugary liquid and then get tested for blood sugar levels over three hours. If the tests show high levels, you'll be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
If left untreated, gestational diabetes can lead to complications for the mother and baby. For the mother, these include a higher rate of cesarean birth and preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy). For the baby, it can lead to a significant birth weight and a greater chance of having low blood sugar or hypoglycemia shortly after birth. This can cause seizures in newborns and put them at risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.
What Causes the Symptoms of Diabetes?
If a person does not produce insulin, the blood sugar cannot get into cells to be used for energy. So the body tries to reduce glucose levels by flushing it out in the urine. That makes people very thirsty. It can also cause blurred vision and dry mouth, and itchy skin.
Too much glucose in the blood can damage nerve endings in the feet, which causes numbness or pain. It can also cause diabetic retinopathy, which damages the small blood vessels in the retina. That can lead to blindness.
High blood glucose levels can cause many other health problems, including heart disease, vascular disease (blood vessel disease), and polycystic ovary syndrome. It can also increase the risk of major depressive disorder.
Complications
Many people who have diabetes have symptoms of high blood sugar that can damage their organs and tissues. These include nerves (neuropathy) that can cause tingling and pain in the feet and legs, a condition known as retinopathy in which the tiny blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye develop changes that can lead to blindness over time, kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy) and cardiovascular disease.
Frequent urination can also cause dehydration since the kidneys work overtime to flush excess sugar out of the body. This can make you feel thirsty all the time.
A dark patch of velvety skin, especially on the neck, armpit, or groin, is another warning sign, as is red, itchy skin that won't heal. You might also notice your vision blurring — sugar lingering in the blood causes swelling of the lenses that can interfere with clear vision.
Having a high A1C level for an extended period can increase your risk for heart disease. It can lead to other problems, including stroke, high blood pressure (preeclampsia), amputation of the legs or toes, kidney failure, nervous system disorders, and vision loss. These problems can be prevented by keeping blood sugar levels in target ranges, losing weight if overweight, and making healthy food choices.
Prevention
Diabetes can be prevented by eating low-fat foods, drinking plenty of water, and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Weight loss is also crucial; those at risk should see their healthcare professional to discuss options.
People at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes should regularly monitor their blood sugar. They should also work with a dietitian to choose carbohydrates that break down in the body slowly and provide steady energy. They should avoid foods with added sugar and focus on protein, fiber, whole grains, beans, and fresh vegetables. Those at risk should also see their doctor for a physical twice a year and get screened for eye, nerve, kidney, and heart disease.
