There are two different types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease whereby the body attacks the cells of the pancreas so it no longer produces insulin. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin, states the American Diabetes Association. Signs and symptoms are similar for both types of diabetes. If you think you may be experiencing signs and symptoms of diabetes, consult with your healthcare provider. A simple blood test can diagnose of you are diabetic.
Increased Thirst, Urination and Hunger
You may experience an increase in thirst, hunger and urination in early diabetes. The excess sugar in your body is excreted into your urine, which leads to frequent urination. This leads to dehydration, which contributes to excessive hunger and thirst.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common early sign of diabetes. Reasons for fatigue may include dehydration from increased urination and your body's inability to function properly, since it's unable to use sugar for energy, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Unusual Weight Loss
Unusual weight loss can be a symptom of early diabetes, reports the American Diabetes Association. While losing additional sugar through frequent urination, you are also losing calories, which leads to weight loss. Weight loss may occur more rapidly with type 1 diabetes.
Frequent Infections and Delayed Healing
It is believed that high sugar impairs the body's healing processes. An early sign of diabetes is slow-healing sores or frequent infections. Many women experience chronic bladder and vaginal infections when diabetic. You may also notice that cuts, scrapes, or wounds are taking additional time to heal.
Numbness and Tingling
You may experience numbness and tingling in your extremities when diabetic. The excess sugar in your blood can lead to nerve damage, which contributes to numbness and tingling.
Blurred Vision
Blurred vision is a symptom of diabetes. High levels of blood sugar pull fluid from your tissues, including the lenses of your eyes, states Mayo Clinic. This leads to a decrease in your ability to focus. If your diabetes goes untreated, it can lead to severe vision loss and possibly, blindness.
