Symptoms of diabetes

      Diabetes has a multitude of symptoms. A diabetic may have all, some or none of these. As a result, many diabetics are often undiagnosed for long periods of time, particular if they have another chronic condition that can mask or mimic diabetic symptoms.
      As we talked last time, there are two types of diabetics: Type 1 and Type 2. In Type 1, the body makes little or no insulin on its own. These are the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes:
      ● Increased thirst or hunger
      ● Frequent urination
      ● Rapid weight loss (even though you eat normally)
      ● Blurred vision
      ● Dizziness
      ● Itchy or dry skin
      ● Fatigue.
      These symptoms can arise suddenly, but most experts believe Type 1 diabetes develops over a long period of time.
      In Type 2 diabetics, the insulin doesn’t work the way it should. (Type 2 diabetics can also have decreased insulin production.) These are the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes:
      ● Increased thirst
      ● Frequent urination
      ● Slow healing of cuts or sores
      ● Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
      ● Blurred vision
      ● Dizziness
      ● Itchy or dry skin
      ● Fatigue
      ● Frequent infection (urinary tract, vaginal infections, boils, etc.)
      These symptoms normally arise over a long period of time. Some Type 2 diabetics have mild or no symptoms.
      If you have any of these symptoms, visit your health care provider as soon as possible. To properly diagnose diabetes requires only simple blood tests. It's an easy way to protect your health. We’ll talk more about this next time.

Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. For individual health care questions, consult your doctor. For more information about diabetes, visit the website for the American Diabetes Association.