Sign & Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes is often called the silent killer because of its easy-to-miss symptoms. Individuals can experience different signs and symptoms of diabetes, and sometimes there may be no signs. Many of the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes are the same as type 2 diabetes even though the reasons the person develops the diabetes are different. This is due to the ultimate effect of having extra glucose or sugar in the blood stream. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be diagnosed in all age groups.

Type 1 diabetes is usually detected in children and young adults and type 2 diabetes usually is diagnosed at an older age. Some of the signs and symptoms commonly experienced include:
  • Frequent urination
  • Excessive thirst
  • Increased hunger
  • Weight loss
  • Tiredness
  • Lack of interest and concentration
  • A tingling sensation or numbness in the hands or feet
  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent infections
  • Slow-healing wound
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Vomiting and stomach pain (often mistaken as the flu)
The development of type 1 diabetes is usually sudden and dramatic while the symptoms can often be mild or absent in people with type 2 diabetes, making this type of diabetes hard to detect.

Women with gestational diabetes often have no symptoms, which is why it’s important for at-risk women to be tested at the proper time during pregnancy.

Early detection and treatment of diabetes can decrease the risk of developing the complications of diabetes. Do not delay in calling your physician if you think you may have diabetes. The only way to be sure is to be tested. Talk to your health care team and get further guidance about this very important issue.