What are the first signs of diabetes?
Get your blood sugar tested if you have any of the symptoms of diabetes.
If you have any of the following diabetes symptoms, see your doctor and get your blood sugar tested:
- Urinate (pee) a lot, often at night
- Are very thirsty
- Lose weight without trying
- Are very hungry
- Have blurry vision
- Have numb or tingling hands or feet
- Feel very tired
- Have very dry skin
- Have sores that heal slowly
- Have more infections than usual.
Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes
People who have type 1 diabetes may also have nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains. Type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed at any age, and symptoms can develop in just a few weeks or months and can be severe.
Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes symptoms often take several years to develop. Some people do not notice any symptoms at all. This especially true at the prediabetes phase.
Type 2 diabetes usually starts when you are an adult, though more and more children and teenagers are developing it.
Because symptoms are hard to spot, it is important to know the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. These include being overweight/obese, Black/Asian/Oriental or having a family history of diabetes. Make sure to visit your doctor if you have any of them.
Symptoms of gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) usually does not have any symptoms. If you are pregnant, your doctor should test you for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.
If needed, you can start treatment to protect your health and your baby’s health. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the birth of your child.
Summary
We have described what are the first signs of diabetes. We hope it has been helpful.
Other resources
What is a normal blood sugar and HbA1C?
How do you diagnose diabetes and prediabetes?
