Diabetes Symptoms In Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes

In diabetes, the symptoms can vary depending on whether a person has type one or type two diabetes.

Before diagnosis the symptoms may be more obvious, but after treatment and the glucose levels are more stabilized, diabetic symptoms will often reduce or go away.

However, type 2 diabetes can be sometimes so subtle that there are no noticeable symptoms, and hence is only diagnosed with a blood test.

In this article, let's look at the symptoms can be present in diabetes, both type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non insulin dependent) diabetes.

The symptoms on type 1 diabetes

In type 1 or insulin dependent diabetes, the symptoms are serious and very severe when the illness starts.

The symptoms include the following:

1. Excessive thirst and excessive drinking

2. Excessive urination, otherwise known as polyuria

3. Loss of weight

4. Excessive hunger and eating. Notice how it's a condition where despite eating more, there's weight loss.

5. Feeling unwell, getting infections

6. And type 1 diabetes can present as diabetic ketoacidosis. In this state, the sugar levels are very high, there's acidosis in the blood, and even collapse and coma.

So when type 1 diabetes starts, it's a very serious condition that requires medical attention right away. Treatment is needed in type 1 diabetes and can't be reversed with 'lifestyle changes'.

The symptoms on type 2 diabetes

The symptoms in type 2 diabetes include the following:

1. Increased thirst and drinking

2. Increased urination

3. Recurrent infections such as skin infections eg fungal or bacterial amongst others

4. Long term complications of diabetes.

Long term consequences of diabetes include heart conditions, deteriorating eye health, kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease (blockages to arteries in eg the legs causing pain in the legs during walking), and peripheral nerve disease.

Many people at risk of type 2 diabetes are also overweight and have other associated conditions such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

So as you can see, there are various ways in which diabetes can present. In type 1 especially, the symptoms are serious and can be life threatening. It's important to seek medical care immediately.

In type 2 diabetes, it can present with similar symptoms or sometimes more subtle symptoms.

In both cases, it's important to seek the advice of your doctor about how to manage and treat the condition.

Reference:Matt Hamburg, diabetes symptoms and blood glucose meters