|  | Conditions Treatments | Diabetes

What Are the Signals of Diabetes?

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), most people with the disease have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce adequate insulin or the cells ignore the hormone. Just 5 to 10 percent of diabetes sufferers have type 1 diabetes, a scenario where the body produces no insulin. As of 2007, almost 8 percent of the U.S. population has some form of diabetes. There are several symptoms that signal the possibility of diabetes.

  1. Abnormal Thirst and Frequent Urination

    • The Mayo Clinic notes that unusual thirst and frequent urination are "classic" signs of both types of diabetes. These symptoms feed off one another, leading to other symptoms. Mayo doctors explain that sugar builds up in the blood of a person with diabetes. This stresses the kidneys, causing excess sugar to enter the urine. This prompts more frequent urination, which can cause dehydration. This triggers the need to quench your thirst, which leads to even more urination. Dehydration and the abnormal processing of sugar in your body saps your energy, leading to fatigue and weight loss. The latter signs prompt extreme hunger as you attempt to recoup nutrition.

    Blurred Vision

    • The ADA advises that many individuals with type 2 diabetes experience no symptoms. When symptoms do present, blurred vision is possible. The Mayo Clinic points out that diabetes pulls fluid from your tissues, including the lenses of your eyes. Left unchecked, the blood vessels in your eyes can experience damage leading, over the long-term, to vision problems, including blindness.

    Other Type 2 Signals

    • Type 2 diabetes shares all of the same symptoms as type 1, plus additional warning signs. The Mayo Clinic says that research in the area is inconclusive, but individuals with type 2 diabetes tend to develop slow-healing sores and frequent infections. For instance, women with type 2 diabetes note increased bladder and vaginal infections. The excess sugar associated with diabetes can lead to tingling and a burning pain in parts of your body, including your hands and feet. Mayo experts note that diabetes inhibits your body's ability to fight infection, which often leads to problems with your gums, such as swollen, tender and infected gums.

Diabetes - Related Articles