 What are the symptoms of diabetes?
In Type 1 diabetes the symptoms tend to develop more quickly, over a couple of
weeks, and are more severe.
In Type 2 diabetes the symptoms develop slowly and are usually not so severe.
The common symptoms of both types of diabetes are:
- increased thirst;
- passing water frequently, especially at night;
- tiredness and fatigue;
- loss of weight; and
- genital itching or recurrent thrush.
In Type 1 diabetes less common symptoms are:
- cramps;
- constipation;
- blurred vision; and
- recurrent skin infections.
In Type 2 diabetes symptoms may go unnoticed for years, and only when
complications of diabetes such as foot ulceration or blurred vision occur is the diabetes
diagnosed.
It's important to remember that all the symptoms may not be present. Whenever any of
these symptoms arise it's important that diabetes is tested for.
Diagnosing Diabetes
Diabetes may be detected in a routine urine test where excess glucose is noted to be
present.
In the case of type 1 diabetes people often develop symptoms over a short period of
time, usually weeks. They may feel thirsty all the time and need to pass water a lot, and
they may find themselves feeling tired and losing weight.
When symptoms have drawn attention to the problem, a blood test that measures the level
of glucose in the blood will confirm whether or not the underlying cause is indeed
diabetes. |
