Symptoms
People who think they might have diabetes must visit a physician for diagnosis. They might have some or none of the following symptoms:
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme hunger
- Sudden vision changes
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Feeling very tired much of the time
- Very dry skin
- Sores that are slow to heal
- More infections than usual
Nausea, vomiting or stomach pains may accompany some of these symptoms in the abrupt onset of Type 1 diabetes.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
The body makes no insulin on its own. People with Type 1 diabetes need insulin injections to survive. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed patients with diabetes. It can develop in older adults, over 30, but most often occurs in a child, adolescent or young adult.
Type 2 diabetes
Accounts for 90% to 95% of all adults with diabetes. In Type 2, the body makes some insulin, but the insulin does not work effectively.
Gestational diabetes
This type of diabetes is one that only pregnant women get. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies but usually disappears when the pregnancy is over.
