Symptoms of Diabetes

People that have diabetes usually are completely unaware they do have this disorder. The main explanation for this is that the symptoms, when seen on their own, seem not detrimental. However, the earlier diabetes is diagnosed, the greater the chances are that serious problems can be prevented.

Type 1 Diabetes

• Frequent urination
• Unusual thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Weight gain (This might be the result of     intense hunger).
• Unusual weight loss
• Extreme fatigue and Irritability

Type 2 Diabetes*

• Any of the type 1 symptoms
• Frequent infections
• Blurred vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Tingling/numbness in the hands/feet
• Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections

Diabetes Facts

_It is estimated that 23.6 million people in the United States—7.8 percent of the population—have diabetes, a serious, lifelong condition. Of those, 17.9 million have been diagnosed, and 5.7 million have not yet been diagnosed. In 2007, about 1.6 million people ages 20 or older were diagnosed with diabetes. For additional statistics, see the National Diabetes Statistics, 2007 fact sheet online at www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/statistics or call the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) at 1–800–860–8747 to request a copy.

• Diabetes is a chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood.

• Insulin produced by the pancreas lowers blood glucose.

• Absence or insufficient production of insulin causes diabetes.

• The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent).

• Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst and hunger as well as fatigue.

• Diabetes is diagnosed by blood sugar (glucose) testing.

• The major complications of diabetes are both acute and chronic.

Acutely: dangerously elevated blood sugar, abnormally low blood sugar due to diabetes medications may occur.

Chronically: disease of the blood vessels (both small and large) which can damage the eye, kidneys, nerves, and heart may occur.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism characterized by high blood sugar levels that results from defects in insulin secretion or action or both. Normally, the body uses digested food for growth and energy. When food is digested, it is broken down into glucose, the form of sugar in the blood. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body but is controlled by insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach).

After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells for growth and energy. For glucose to get into cells, insulin must be present. Insulin lowers the blood glucose level. When the blood glucose elevates (for example, after eating food), insulin is released from the pancreas to normalize the glucose levels. In patients with diabetes, the insulin is either absent, relatively insufficient for the body's needs, or not used properly by the body. All of these factors cause elevated levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Glucose builds up in the blood, overflows into the urine, and passes out of the body in the urine.

Thus, the body loses its main source of fuel even though the blood contains large amounts of glucose.  The body tries to get rid of the glucose through the kidneys but the high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger).  Because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar may have no symptoms. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes develop over a short period of time. People may be very sick by the time they are diagnosed.