Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus (Sugar Diabetes)

The common symptoms of diabetes are:

• Drinking too much water.
• Passing too much urine.
• Eating too much food.
• Loosing weight even though you now eat more food than you used to.

Other symptoms include:

• frequent infections
• poor healing of wounds
• fatigue
• sexual problems like loss of interest in sex, and erectile dysfunction in men.

There are also symptoms of complications of diabetes such as:

• loss of consciousness
• poor eye sight
• loss of sensation in the feet and hands

You should know that these are not all the symptoms of diabetes. Diabetes is a complex illness and so other symptoms may also be seen.

Do the different types of diabetes have different symptoms?

All forms of diabetes may show some of the common symptoms. However, some symptoms are specific to some types of diabetes.

For example, in Gestational Diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy) the unborn baby may be affected and so may grow too big or not grow big enough.

In Type 1 diabetes which affects mostly young people, there may be a sweet almond smell in breath. This is a bad sign when it occurs and you should see a doctor immediately to prevent the development of a fatal complication of diabetes called diabetes keto-acidosis.

Click here for more information on symptoms of diabetes.

Can I have diabetes and have no symptoms?

In the early stages of the diabetes, it is possible for you not to observe any of the symptoms or think that they are nothing to worry about. But as the disease advances the symptoms begin to appear and become more noticeable. That is why people who are at risk of having diabetes should see their doctors regularly.

Can I have any of these symptoms and still not have diabetes?

Even though these symptoms are seen in diabetes, they can also be seen in other conditions as well and so may be a sign of another disease. It is important to note that the more of these symptoms you have at the same time, the higher the suspicion that you may have diabetes.

What should I do if I think I have diabetes?

If you think you may have diabetes, see your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will do some tests and be able to confirm if you have diabetes or not.

Look out for these symptoms and act quickly to prevent future problems.

Created July, 2009