Diabetes Symptoms

Quick Glance: Common Diabetes Symptoms

Common signs and early warning symptoms of diabetes may include:

• Frequent urination

• Increased thirst

• Increased hunger

• Unusual tiredness or weakness

• Blurred vision

• Unexplained weight loss

• Frequent infections

• Cuts or sores that heal slowly

Diabetes Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

Persistent symptoms may indicate high blood glucose levels or developing diabetes-related problems. The table below presents the diabetes symptoms that you should never ignore:

No single symptom confirms diabetes. Blood testing is required to establish the diagnosis.

Why Do Diabetes Symptoms Occur?

Diabetes develops when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively. Without sufficient insulin action, glucose remains in the bloodstream instead of moving into cells for energy. When blood glucose rises, the kidneys remove some of the excess glucose through urine. This draws extra water from the body, causing frequent urination and increased thirst.

Reduced glucose availability inside cells can contribute to tiredness, hunger and, particularly in type 1 diabetes, weight loss. High glucose can also temporarily affect vision and, over time, interfere with nerves, circulation, immunity and wound healing.

Diabetes Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

It is recommended to seek emergency medical care if a person with known or suspected diabetes develops:

• Persistent vomiting with abdominal pain

• Rapid or deep breathing

• Fruity-smelling breath

• Severe dehydration

• Increasing confusion or unusual drowsiness

• Difficulty waking or loss of consciousness

• Seizures

• Severe weakness with marked dehydration

• Very high blood glucose with worsening confusion or reduced alertness

Symptoms of Diabetes Based on Type

The table below highlights the symptoms of diabetes based on type:

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes share many symptoms, so the type cannot be determined from symptoms alone. Gestational diabetes is usually identified through pregnancy screening rather than symptoms.

Symptoms of Diabetes-Specific Conditions

The table below presents the common symptoms of diabetes-specific conditions:

Diabetes Symptoms in Men

Diabetes can cause the usual symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, tiredness and blurred vision in men. However, high blood glucose and diabetes-related nerve or blood vessel damage can also affect sexual and urinary function.

Possible diabetes-related symptoms in men include:

• Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)

• Reduced sexual desire or libido

• Problems with ejaculation

• Frequent or urgent urination

• Difficulty starting urination or a weak urine stream

• Urinary leakage or difficulty emptying the bladder

• Recurrent urinary tract infections

• Itching, soreness or other symptoms of a genital yeast infection

Diabetes Symptoms in Women

Women with diabetes can experience the usual symptoms of high blood glucose, including increased thirst, frequent urination, tiredness and blurred vision. However, diabetes can also affect the urinary and reproductive systems, particularly when high blood glucose contributes to nerve or blood vessel damage.

Possible diabetes-related symptoms in women include:

• Recurrent vaginal yeast infections

• Recurrent urinary tract or bladder infections

• Vaginal dryness

• Reduced sexual desire or difficulty becoming aroused

• Pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse

• Reduced genital sensation or difficulty reaching orgasm

• Urinary urgency or frequent urination

• Urinary leakage or difficulty emptying the bladder

Diabetes Symptoms in Children

Children with diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes, can develop symptoms over a relatively short period.

Parents may notice:

• Drinking much more water than usual

• Frequent urination

• New bedwetting in a previously dry child

• Increased hunger

• Weight loss despite eating normally or more

• Unusual tiredness or reduced activity

• Irritability or behaviour changes

• Blurred vision

Vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid or deep breathing, fruity-smelling breath or increasing drowsiness may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis and require emergency care. Type 1 diabetes can first become apparent when a child develops DKA.

Can You Have Diabetes Without Symptoms?

Yes. Diabetes can develop without noticeable symptoms, particularly in type 2 diabetes. Blood glucose may remain elevated for years before thirst, frequent urination or other obvious changes develop.

Early type 1 diabetes can also exist before symptoms appear. Current staging recognises presymptomatic stages in which diabetes-related autoantibodies are present before clinical symptoms develop. Once symptomatic type 1 diabetes develops, symptoms may progress quickly.

Because diabetes may be silent, testing is important for people with appropriate risk factors even when they feel well.

When Can Diabetes Symptoms Become Life-Threatening?

Diabetes can become life-threatening when blood glucose and metabolic changes become severe. DKA and severe hyperglycaemic emergencies require immediate hospital treatment. The table below explains when diabetes symptoms can become life-threatening:

People using insulin or certain glucose-lowering medicines can also develop dangerously low blood glucose. Severe hypoglycaemia may cause confusion, seizures or loss of consciousness and requires immediate treatment.

How are Diabetes Symptoms Diagnosed?

Diabetes cannot be diagnosed from symptoms or a home glucose meter reading alone. Laboratory blood tests are used to confirm that glucose levels meet diagnostic criteria. The table below mentions the diagnostic tests used to detect diabetes: