Diabetes Symptoms

Posted: Nov. 1, 2004

People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for diagnosis. A person with diabetes might have some or none of the following symptoms.

Type 1 diabetes
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop over a short period of time, although beta cell destruction can begin months, even years, earlier.

Symptoms include:

• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Constant hunger
• Weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Extreme fatigue

Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains may accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of type 1 diabetes.

If not diagnosed and treated with insulin, a person with type 1 diabetes can lapse into a life-threatening coma.

Type 2 diabetes
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually and are not as noticeable as in type 1 diabetes. Symptoms include:

• Feeling tired or ill
• Frequent urination (especially at night)
• Unusual thirst
• Weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Frequent infections
• Slow-healing wounds and sores

Diagnosis
The fasting plasma glucose test is recommended to diagnose diabetes. This test is simpler and faster than the commonly used oral glucose tolerance test.

Glucose levels greater than or equal to 126mg/dl with the fasting plasma glucose test, or greater than or equal to 200 mg/dl with the oral glucose tolerance test, indicate a diagnosis of diabetes.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

We Have Answers Do you have medical questions or need help finding a doctor? The experts at Columbia St. Mary's and Advanced Healthcare can help. Click here.