diabetes
Symptoms
Diabetes symptoms
Diabetes:
Is the leading cause of blindness in working age adults
Is a leading cause of kidney failure and dialysis
Increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke by up to four times
Is a major cause of limb amputations
Affects mental health as well as physical health. Depression, anxiety and distress occur in more than 30% of all people with diabetes
Early diagnosis, optimal treatment and effective ongoing support and management reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.
Symptoms
In type 1 diabetes, symptoms are often sudden and can be life-threatening; therefore it is usually diagnosed quite quickly. In type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs can go unnoticed being seen as part of ‘getting older’.
Therefore, by the time symptoms are noticed, complications of diabetes may already be present.
Common symptoms include:
Being more thirsty than usual
Passing more urine
Feeling tired and lethargic
Always feeling hungry
Having cuts that heal slowly
Itching, skin infections
Blurred vision
Unexplained weight loss (type 1)
Gradually putting on weight (type 2)
Mood swings
Headaches
Feeling dizzy
Leg cramps
Symptoms
of type 1 diabetes
The most common symptoms of undiagnosed
type 1 diabetes include:
• unexplained weight loss
• being thirsty and drinking a lot more than usual
• going to the toilet to pass urine more often
• feeling tired and low on energy
• genital thrush
• mood changes.
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes can develop
quickly and need immediate medical attention.
If type 1 diabetes is left untreated, diabetic
ketoacidosis (also known as DKA) will develop.
Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the liver
makes chemicals, called ‘ketones’ because
there is not enough insulin in the body to use
glucose for energy. So, the body breaks down
fat as a source of energy instead. This break down turns fat into ketones, a type of acid, and
sends them into the bloodstream. Ketones in
large amounts are toxic to the body as the blood
becomes too acidic. High glucose levels also
result in dehydration and a loss of body salts and
fluids. This is life-threatening and requires urgent
hospital treatment.
How is type 1 diabetes diagnosed?
• If your doctor thinks your symptoms suggest
you have type 1 diabetes, your blood will be
checked for high glucose levels, and your
blood or urine for ketones. The body makes
ketones in large amounts when there is little
or no insulin. If ketones are present, you may
have type 1 diabetes. A high blood glucose
level will confirm the diagnosis.
• Your doctor will also order blood tests to
look for autoantibodies. These tests can help
to work out if you have autoimmune type 1
diabetes.
• If you have symptoms of type 1 diabetes,
see a doctor without delay and ask for a for
diabetes check. Early diagnosis of type 1
diabetes can prevent diabetic ketoacidosis.
symptoms
of type 2 diabetes
he symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:
• being thirsty and drinking more than usual
• going to the toilet (to pass urine) more often
• feeling tired and low on energy
• having sores or cuts that will not heal
• having blurred vision
• having frequent fungal or bacterial infections
including skin infections, urinary tract
infections and thrush
• having pain or tingling in the legs or feet.
These symptoms can appear slowly and often
go unnoticed for a long time. Some people may
not even have any symptoms! Sometimes the
first sign of diabetes may be a diabetes-related
complication such as a foot ulcer, heart attack or
vision problem.
If you experience any of the above symptoms,
please talk to your doctor. Early diagnosis
and intervention can have a big impact on the
management of type 2 diabetes.
How is type 2 diabetes diagnosed?
There are three blood glucose checks that are
used to diagnose type 2 diabetes:
A blood glucose check sent to pathology.
This may be done as either fasting (after having
nothing to eat or drink for at least eight hours) or
non-fasting.
An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
You will be given a sugary drink after having
a fasting blood glucose check and then have
another blood glucose check one and two hours
afterwards.
A HbA1c check sent to pathology. This reflects
your average blood glucose level over the last 10
to 12 weeks. You do not need to fast for this.
How is type 2 diabetes managed?
Type 2 diabetes can be managed with healthy
eating and regular physical activity. Over time, you
may also need glucose-lowering medicines such
as tablets or non-insulin injectable medications to
lower blood glucose levels. When type 2 diabetes
progresses, some people will need insulin
injections to help keep their blood glucose levels
in their target range.
Research shows weight loss can slow the
progression of type 2 diabetes. In some cases,
this can lead to reversal or remission.
Looking after your type 2 diabetes is important for
good health. It can reduce your risk of developing
diabetes-related complications such as damage
to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. During pregnancy, some of the hormones made by the placenta reduce the action of insulin. The pancreas then needs to make extra insulin to keep blood glucose levels in the target range. If the pancreas cannot make enough extra insulin, blood glucose levels rise and gestational diabetes develops.
For most women, gestational diabetes goes away after the baby is born. But there is an increased risk of type 2 diabetes after pregnancy and a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes in future pregnancies.
All pregnant women should be tested for gestational diabetes between 24 to 28 weeks (unless they have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes before pregnancy). Women who have risk factors for gestational diabetes may be tested earlier in their pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes is diagnosed using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). After fasting (not eating) for 8–12 hours, a blood sample is taken. You then have a sugary drink, and have your blood tested one and two hours later.
If your blood glucose level is above the normal range at your fasting, one or two-hour test, you have gestational diabetes.