Persistently high sugar levels within the blood can lead to the development of diabetes. Family history, body weight, age and race are all factors that can influence a patient's risk of developing this medical condition. Initially the onset symptoms of diabetes can be mild, but they may cause significant health complications if blood sugar levels are not controlled.
Fatigue
Unusual fatigue can occur as an onset symptom of diabetes. The high level of sugar within a diabetic patient's body can't be effectively utilized to fuel the body. As a result, patients can experience drowsiness or tiredness throughout the day because the body does not have enough energy. Increased fatigue can affect a patient's ability to remain alert and focused, which may lead to difficulty concentrating at work or school.
Weight Loss
If the body can't use sugar for energy, it will begin to break down muscle and fat cells in order to support the energy needs of the body. When this occurs, patients can experience significant, unintended weight loss as an onset symptom of diabetes. Weight loss can occur rapidly, even if an affected patient does not make any types of dietary changes.
Frequent Hunger
Frequent hunger can develop as an onset symptom of diabetes, explain doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Abnormally high sugar levels within the blood can't be converted to energy by the body. As a result, the body has low stores of energy, which triggers a hunger response in affected patients. These patients may eat frequently throughout the day due to constant sensations of hunger. Despite increased food intake, patients with diabetes may continue to lose weight as a symptom of this condition.
Blurred Vision
Excess sugar in the blood can cause fluid loss throughout the body. When this occurs, patients with diabetes can develop unusually dry or irritated eyes. These symptoms can contribute to vision difficulties, such as blurred or cloudy vision, in certain patients.
Increased Urination and Thirst
The body removes sugar and other waste products from the blood by filtering it out of the body in the form of urine. High levels of sugar cause the body to produce increased volumes of urine more frequently. As a result, patients with diabetes can begin to urinate numerous times throughout the day, explain health officials at the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Increased fluid loss can stimulate increased thirst in affected patients and may occur in conjunction with symptoms of dry mouth or skin.
Recurrent Infections
Recurrent infections can occur as onset symptoms of diabetes. Excess sugar in the blood interferes with the body's ability to fight off infection. This can cause patients with diabetes to develop recurrent infections of the skin, mouth, bladder or genitals, warns the Mayo Clinic.
