How to Detect Diabetes Symptoms

There are no standard symptoms for diabetes, which is one of the reasons why it can be difficult to identify. Once your doctor is considering a potential diagnosis of diabetes, there is a test that can be run to determine if that is an accurate diagnosis. However, the test is not commonly administered unless there is suspicion of diabetes.

The earlier diabetes is identified and treated, the less likely the patient is to develop complications. Therefore, it is helpful to know how to detect diabetes symptoms.

Symptoms of Diabetes – Type I

Type 1 diabetes is the type that a person is born with. Their insulin system never works right, meaning that their body does not respond to hunger or thirst correctly, either through over-stimulating or under-stimulating. Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes are:

• Unusual or extreme hunger or weight loss
• Unusual or extreme thirst or urination
• Unusual or extreme fatigue
• Unusual or extreme irritability

Symptoms of Diabetes – Type II

Type 2 diabetes is the type that develops over time. Originally termed "adult-onset diabetes," that term is no longer in wide usage since so many teenagers and even children are now developing it. While there are often no symptoms of type 2 diabetes, the following symptoms should prompt medical follow up:

• The symptoms of type 1 diabetes
• Blurred vision
• Slow healing of cuts or bruises
• Frequent or recurring skin, bladder, or gum infections
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

Symptoms of Diabetes Complications

If you already know that you have diabetes, you should be alert for symptoms of diabetic complications. If you experience any of the symptoms of diabetic complications and have not been diagnosed as having diabetes, you should check with your medical professional to determine if you may have diabetes. Here is how to detect symptoms of diabetes complications.

If you have any of the following vision symptoms, it could be a symptom of diabetic retinopathy, which almost all type 1 diabetics and many type 2 diabetics eventually get:

• Blurred vision
• Difficulty reading books (near vision) or signs (distance vision)
• Double vision
• Pain in one or both eyes
• Redness in eyes that does not go away
• Peripheral vision loss
• Pressure in one or both eyes
• Seeing spots or floaters
• Straight lines appear wavy or curved

Neuropathy is when the nerves in your feet no longer work correctly, so that you do not feel sensations of heat, cold, or pain. If you experience any of the following, see your health care provider:

• Changes to the texture of the skin of your feet
• Calluses
• Foot ulcers
• Red spots, cuts, swelling, or blisters

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