Understanding diabetes - symptoms

The main symptoms across the two main types of diabetes are increased urination (polyuria), thirst (polydipsia) and tiredness

Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:

• Excessive thirst
• Increased urination (sometimes as often as every hour)
• Unusual weight loss
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Nausea, perhaps vomiting
• Blurred vision
• In women, frequent vaginal infections
• In men and women, yeast infections ( thrush)
• Dry mouth
• Slow-healing sores or cuts
• Itching skin, especially in the groin or vaginal area.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can develop quickly, over weeks or sometimes days.

Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes - also known as type 2 diabetes mellitus - often doesn’t cause symptoms and is identified on routine screening. When type 2 diabetes does cause symptoms these can include:

• Excessive thirst
• Increased urination (sometimes as often as every hour), especially at night
• Unusual weight loss or gain
• Fatigue or extreme tiredness

Other symptoms, not experienced by everyone, include:

• Blurred vision
• In women, frequent vaginal infections
• In men and women, yeast infections (thrush)
• Dry mouth
• Slow-healing sores or cuts
• Itching skin, especially in the groin or vaginal area.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a condition characterised by high blood sugar (glucose) levels that is first recognised during pregnancy. The condition occurs in approximately 14% of all pregnant women.
It is usually diagnosed during routine screening before it causes any symptoms.

Seek medical advice about diabetes if:

• You feel nauseated, weak and excessively thirsty; are urinating very frequently; have abdominal pain; or are breathing more deeply and rapidly than normal - perhaps with sweet breath that smells like nail polish remover. You may need immediate medical attention for ketoacidosis, a potentially deadly complication of type 1 diabetes.
• You are having weakness or fainting spells; are experiencing a rapid heartbeat, trembling and excessive sweating; and feel irritable, hungry or suddenly drowsy. You could be developing hypoglycaemia - low blood sugar that can occur with diabetes treatment. You may need to have a carbohydrate snack or sugary drink quickly to avoid more serious complications.