Nearly 8 percent of the U.S. population, about 23.6 million people, has diabetes, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, or NDIC. In diabetes the body can't properly regulate the sugar it extracts from food. This causes blood sugar to rise so high it can damage organs throughout the body. Nearly a quarter of people with diabetes don't know they're suffering from a disease that can have serious, lifelong consequences, according to the NDIC.
Type 1 Symptoms
In Type 1 diabetes, the body doesn't produce enough insulin to stay alive, according to the NDIC. Symptoms come on quickly and include extreme thirst, constant urination and hunger, unexplained weight loss, blurry vision, numbness or a feeling of pins and needles in the hands or feet, dry skin, an increase in infections or wounds that are slow to heal and tiredness. Sometimes nausea, vomiting and stomach pains also occur at the beginning of Type 1 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If not diagnosed and treated quickly, a person can lapse into a coma, which can be fatal.
Type 2 Symptoms
In Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90 percent of diabetes cases, a person produces plenty of insulin but the body can't use it efficiently and blood sugar levels rise to dangerous levels, according to the NDIC. The symptoms come on slowly but are similar to those in Type 1. They include tiredness, weight loss, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, dry skin, vision problems and increased urination, thirst and hunger. Some people may notice that wounds heal slowly or they're getting sick more often than usual. Also, some people don't have noticeable symptoms at all and aren't diagnosed unless they are given a blood test, according to the "Journal of the American Medical Association."
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears after the baby is born. It is caused by pregnancy hormones or a shortage of insulin. Women with gestational diabetes may not experience diabetes symptoms at all, according to the NDIC. The condition is usually picked up by screening tests during pregnancy. If untreated, gestational diabetes can cause problems for both mother and child, but with treatment both should be fine, according to the NDIC.
Insulin Resistance and Pre-Diabetes
Pre-diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not quite high enough to qualify for a diagnosis of diabetes. Most people with pre-diabetes develop Type 2 diabetes within 10 years if they don't take steps to prevent the disease, according to the NDIC. Insulin resistance also increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes. It occurs when the body can't effectively use the insulin it produces to efficiently regulate blood sugar.
Both of these conditions frequently carry no symptoms. But sometimes people with insulin resistance develop dark patches of skin, often on the back or around the neck. They can also turn up on elbows, knees, knuckles and armpits.
References
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diabetes Overview
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Basics About Diabetes
- JAMA Patient Page: Diabetes
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Gestational Diabetes
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Insulin Resistance and Pre-Diabetes
