Diabetes, a disease that affects more than 23 million people in the United States according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, is a condition in which the blood glucose (sugar) level is too high. There are two main types of diabetes. Type I is an autoimmune disease in which the body produces little to no insulin. Type II which is characterized by the body's inability to use insulin effectively. The symptoms for type I and type II diabetes are the same, although some patients with type II diabetes do not exhibit any symptoms.
Frequent Urination
Patients with diabetes need to urinate frequently. This symptom is caused by the excess sugar in the blood leaking into the urine. In order to dilute the sugar in the urine, the kidneys work overtime to excrete additional water resulting in the need to urinate large volumes frequently.
Excessive Thirst
The symptom of excessive thirst, also known as polydipsia, is closely related to frequent urination. In order to dilute the sugar in the urine, the kidneys must pull excess water from the cells and tissues throughout the body. This leaves the cells dehydrated, triggering the body to feel thirsty.
Weight Loss
Patients with diabetes often experience unexplained weight loss. As the sugar levels of the blood continue to rise, excess sugar is excreted through the urine. Because the sugar is not being utilized by the body, the calories are not being absorbed as they are instead being lost. This results in the weight loss.
Extreme Hunger
Despite the fact that those with diabetes often lose weight, they also feel extreme hunger. The food you eat is broken down (metabolized) in the body into usable energy. After you eat, glucose levels rise triggering the pancreas to produce insulin to help the glucose be absorbed by the cells where it can be used for energy. In those with diabetes, the insulin is either not present or does not work and glucose is therefore not absorbed in the cells. Because the food is not broken down properly and utilized diabetics do not gain the nutrition they should from their food, which leaves them feeling continually hungry.
Fatigue
Fatigue, or extreme tiredness, is often the first symptom of diabetes. Glucose, obtained through the breakdown of carbohydrates, is the primary source of energy for the body. People with diabetes are not able to utilize the glucose and therefore feel a lack of energy.
