Diabetes Signs & Symptoms

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that turns sugar, starch and other foods into energy. When diabetes develops, the body is no longer capable of using insulin properly or isn't producing insulin at all. According to the American Diabetes Association, 23.6 million Americans have diabetes, and an additional 57 million have "pre-diabetes." The exact cause of diabetes is not known, but with proper care and lifestyle changes, diabetics can live long, productive lives.

Types

• There are four major categories of diabetes: pre-diabetes, gestational diabetes, type 1 and type 2. A less common category is type 1.5, in which adults are diagnosed with type 1 but still produce some insulin.

Features

• People with a fasting blood glucose between 100 and 125 have pre-diabetes. Those with a fasting glucose above 126 have type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body stops producing insulin. Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnant women who previously had no signs of diabetes but develop high glucose numbers during the pregnancy.

Identification

• Common symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and hunger, fatigue, frequent urination, blurry vision, irritability and unexplained weight loss.

Considerations

• Less common symptoms of diabetes include headaches, insomnia, itching, weight gain, and dizziness when blood sugar drops.

Warning

• Factors that pose an increased risk for developing diabetes include a family history of the disease, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, being over 45 years old, high blood pressure and having gestational diabetes. Hispanics, African-Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and Asians have a greater risk of developing diabetes.