Diabetes Health Center
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Understanding Diabetes - Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
Common symptoms of diabetes include:
- Excessive thirst and appetite
- Increased urination (sometimes as often as every hour)
- Unusual weight loss or gain
- Fatigue
- Nausea, perhaps vomiting
- Blurred vision
- In women, frequent vaginal infections
- In men and women, yeast infections
- Dry mouth
- Slow-healing sores or cuts
- Itching skin, especially in the groin or vaginal area
Call Your Doctor 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 hypoglycemia — low blood sugar that can occur with diabetes treatment. You may need to eat or drink a carbohydrate snack quickly to avoid more serious complications.
WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by
John A. Seibel, MD on November 25, 2009
© 2009 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Common Treatments for Diabetes
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