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.
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