Symptoms of diabetes commonly include increased thirst, blurred vision, frequent urination, and fatigue. Learn more about how symptoms may differ between type 1 and type 2 diabetes in males and females, as well as in children and adults.
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your body isn’t able to regulate your blood sugar levels. A high blood sugar level can lead to diabetes symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, and increased hunger.
These symptoms are shared between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, the types develop at very different speeds. This causes symptoms to present very differently.
Diabetes symptoms are the result of high blood sugar levels in the body.
These symptoms develop suddenly in type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes often develops slowly over many years.
Common early symptoms include:
- increased thirst
- increased hunger
- fatigue
- blurry vision
- frequent urination that interrupts your sleep
- irritability
- mood changes
- unexpected weight loss
- cuts, sores, and bruises that heal slowly
Type 1 diabetes symptoms come on very quickly, often over a few weeks, as the body’s pancreas stops producing insulin.
It’s more common to develop type 1 diabetes during childhood or adolescence, but it does sometimes develop during adulthood.
Since the symptoms of type 1 diabetes come on so quickly, they’re generally severe and noticeable. For example, you might lose a significant amount of weight in just a few weeks. You might also have stomach pains and vomiting.
Additionally, because type 1 diabetes develops rapidly, your blood sugar might become very high before you can get a diagnosis and start treatment. This can sometimes lead to a medical emergency called ketoacidosis, which requires immediate care.
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop
You could have type 2 diabetes for years without any symptoms. When symptoms do start, they’ll often be mild. It’s easy to dismiss them or mistake them for other conditions.
Over time, people with type 2 diabetes develop higher and higher levels of glucose in the blood, which can cause:
Sex isn’t a factor in most diabetes symptoms. However, a few additional symptoms only occur in people with a vagina. This group has a
Most of the symptoms of diabetes are the same in infants, children, and adults. However, infants and very young children won’t be able to communicate their symptoms.
Instead, parents or caregivers may notice symptoms such as:
- an increased need for diaper changes
- bedwetting
- weight loss
- having very little appetite
- always seeming to be thirsty
- always feeling tired or weak
- nausea
- vomiting
- changes in mood
- diaper rashes that don’t heal
- breath that has a fruity smell
- fast breathing
When infants and children develop diabetes, it’s most likely type 1, but children can develop type 2 as well.
Just like in adults, the early symptoms are the same no matter the type: Type 1 symptoms will come on much faster. Type 2 symptoms will develop more slowly.
Diabetes can affect multiple body areas. This includes the following:
- Eyes: Diabetes often causes blurry vision. Diabetes that isn’t managed well can lead to vision loss.
- Skin: Diabetes can make it much harder for your body to heal cuts, scrapes, and other wounds. This can put you at a higher risk of infection.
- Bladder: Diabetes can cause frequent urination and increase your risk of UTIs.
- Feet: Diabetes can reduce blood flow to your feet, which makes it difficult for you to feel cuts and scrapes on your feet. It also reduces your body’s ability to heal those wounds.
- Arms and legs: Diabetes can lead to diabetic neuropathy, pain, and numbness in your arms and legs.
| Type 1 diabetes symptoms | Type 2 diabetes symptoms |
|---|---|
| develop quickly | develop more slowly |
| are severe | are typically more mild at first |
| can lead to a medical emergency called ketoacidosis | are less likely to lead to a medical emergency with ketoacidosis |
| are more common in children and adolescents | are more common in adults |
Can you suddenly develop diabetes?
It is possible for type 1 diabetes to develop suddenly and cause symptoms in a
How can you prevent diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented through
What three drinks should people with diabetes avoid?
If you have diabetes, it can be beneficial to avoid the following three drinks: fruit juices, soda, and energy drinks containing sugar.
The symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes start the same. However, type 2 diabetes symptoms typically come on slowly over several years and are often milder at first.
Type 1 symptoms develop rapidly over just a few weeks. They’re generally more severe.
Both types of diabetes can lead to additional symptoms over time that can affect your eyes, limbs, feet, and skin.
Although they might not be able to express this, children and infants have the same symptoms as adults. Parents and caregivers can keep a lookout for any concerning symptoms.