Diabetes | Symptoms

Symptoms

by Cleveland Clinic

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are often sudden and severe. These symptoms include:

Increased thirst
Increased hunger (especially after eating)
Dry mouth
Frequent urination
Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry)
Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
Blurred vision
Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
Loss of consciousness (rare)

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be the same as those listed above. Most often, there are no symptoms or a very gradual development of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes.

Other symptoms include:

Slow healing sores or cuts
Itching of the skin (usually in the vaginal or groin area)
Yeast infections
Recent weight gain

Diabetes risk factors
Although the causes of diabetes are unknown, the following risk factors may increase your chance of developing diabetes:

A family history of diabetes (if a parent or sibling in your family has diabetes)
Race or ethnic background (the risk of diabetes is greater in Hispanics, African-Americans, Native Americans, and Asians)
Being overweight (20 percent or more over your desired body weight)
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Abnormal blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels: HDL or "good" cholesterol level under 45 mg/dl for men and 55 mg/dl for women, and/or a triglyceride level over 150 mg/dl.
Age: Your risk of developing diabetes rises progressively as you get older.
Use of certain drugs:
--Blood pressure medications (such as thiazides)
--Steroid medications (such as prednisone or Decadron [dexamethasone])
--Hydantoin medications (such as Dilantin [phenytoin])
--Medications for transplant recipients (such as cyclosporine)
Alcohol, especially if you have been a heavy drinker for years
Smoking
History of gestational diabetes (developing diabetes during pregnancy) or delivery of babies who weigh more than 9 pounds
Autoimmune disease: Your body's defense system (immune system) attacks certain healthy cells in your pancreas that produce insulin (beta cells).
Other factors, such as viruses, which may play a part in diabetes development

It is important to note that sugar itself does not cause diabetes. Eating a lot of sugar can lead to tooth decay, but it does not cause diabetes.