Diabetes results from the body's inability to properly produce or use insulin. Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, is usually diagnosed when the patient is a child or young adult and results from a failure to produce insulin. Far more common, however, is type 2 diabetes, which can result from failure to produce or respond to insulin on a cellular level. Additionally, women who are pregnant are at increased risk of gestational diabetes, which can arise at around the 28th week of pregnancy. It is important to remember, however, that the symptoms of other conditions can sometimes resemble those of diabetes.
Excessive Thirst and Frequent Urination
Those with diabetes are subject to symptoms involving the regulation of water content in their bodies. The symptoms of excessive thirst and frequent urination experienced by diabetics are a result of high glucose concentrations in the blood. The body tries to rid itself of excess glucose by excreting it in the urine. This causes frequent urination and extreme thirst as the body tries to dilute the amount of glucose in the blood by encouraging greater consumption of water.
These symptoms, though, can occur in other conditions as well, making it important for doctors to conduct a differential diagnosis. MedlinePlus points out that conditions such as interstitial cystitis, urinary tract infection and prostate problems can result in frequent or urgent urination. Excessive thirst, on the other hand, can sometimes be a result of bleeding. The body will try to maintain its normal blood volume by increasing the intake of fluids. Water loss through excessive sweating, diarrhea or vomiting can also make a person feel extreme thirst. And certain medications -- such as diuretics -- can cause both excessive thirst and frequent urination, notes MedlinePlus.
Tingling or Numbness in the Appendages
Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet can often be a sign of diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage. This occurs due to the high concentrations of glucose in the blood vessels that supply the nerves. The excess sugar injures capillary walls and affects their ability to nourish the nerves with blood.
A number of other conditions cause neuropathy and can lead to numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains that trauma, systemic disorders, toxin exposure, infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders can all cause nerve damage and result in symptoms that mimic those of diabetic neuropathy.
Blurred Vision
Those with diabetes may find their vision suffers as high glucose levels damage the tiny blood vessels that supply the retina. This condition is known as diabetic retinopathy. But other conditions that can cause blurred vision abound. The University of Maryland Medical Center cites cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, stroke and brain tumor among the many possible factors that can cause blurred vision.
