What Are the Early Signs of Diabetes?

Typical symptoms of type 1 diabetes include unplanned weight loss, nausea, and vomiting.

The early signs of diabetes depend on whether one has type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children, whereas type 2 diabetes is prevalent in adults. In type 2 diabetes, the signs may be unnoticeable unless some complications occur. With type 1 diabetes, the symptoms are severe and appear quickly. Routine blood sugar level check-ups are an ideal way to detect diabetes at an early stage.

Some of the early signs of diabetes, common in both types and men and women, are:

• Polydipsia (increased thirst)
• Polyphagia (increased hunger)
• Polyuria (increased urination)
• Fatigue
• Dry mouth
• Itchy skin
• Blurred vision
• Irritability
• Skin infections
• Darkening of skin in the armpits and other folds

If undiagnosed, these symptoms can worsen and lead to diabetic complications.

Some typical symptoms can be seen in the latter stages of both types of diabetes.

Typical symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diabetic ketoacidosis is a condition in which the ketone levels in the body increase to a dangerous level

Symptoms which appear in the later stage of type 2 diabetes (when blood glucose level remains high for a long time) include:

• Yeast infections between fingers and toes, under breasts, and around reproductive organs
• Delayed wound healing
• Pain or numbness in the feet and legs

In diabetes, blood sugar levels may drop abnormally due to antidiabetic medications, or a mismatch of food or exercise, which is known as hypoglycemia. The symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

• Giddiness
• Nervousness or anxiety
• Shakiness
• Sweat
• Impatient
• Confused
• Dizziness
• Sleepy
• Weak
• Numbness or tingling in the lips, tongue, or cheeks
• Fast heartbeat
• Pale skin
• Headache
• Nightmares
• Seizures
• Coordination problems

Some of the unique symptoms of diabetes seen in men are:

• Erectile dysfunction (impotence)
• Decreased libido (decreased sex drive)
• Retrograde ejaculation (semen enters the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during orgasm)
• Low testosterone hormone

Some of the symptoms of diabetes unique to women are:

• Vaginal discharge
• Vaginal itching and pain
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Redness and soreness in the mouth
• White patches in the mouth
• Difficulty in swallowing or eating
• Decreased libido
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) can be a risk to the mother as well as the fetus if uncontrolled. Hence, controlling and monitoring the blood sugar level during pregnancy is necessary.

The common symptoms seen in gestational diabetes are:

• Increased thirst
• Sugar in the urine
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Dry, itchy skin
• Weight loss
• Increased infections
• Increased hunger
• Increased infections

The complications of gestational diabetes are:

• Premature delivery
• Birth defects
• Miscarriage
• Birth defects
• Preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy, along with protein in urine)
• Breathing problems in newborns
• Frequent urinary or bladder infection

Diabetes cannot be completely cured as it is a chronic disease; however, it can be well-controlled by managing the symptoms. Hence, prevention is one of the ideal options in the management of the disease.

• Lead a healthy lifestyle by reducing weight
• Ensure a balanced diet with proper nutrition
• Avoid junk foods or extremely fatty foods
• Exercise daily for 30-40 minutes
• Limit the intake of alcohol and refrain from tobacco
• Increasing the intake of some essential minerals, such as magnesium, has been shown to decrease the risk of diabetes
• Monitor the blood sugar level from time to time
• Be careful about your annual eye check-ups

Patients older than 45 years should undergo regular monitoring and testing to avoid nerve damage, heart trouble, and other complications.

If you observe any of the following signs, immediately contact the physician:

• Have severe abdominal pain
• Extreme thirst and weakness
• Increased frequency of urination
• Troubled breathing
• Breath smells like nail polish remover (a sign of very high ketones)