Type 1 Diabetes
In people with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot make insulin. This vital hormone helps the body's cells convert sugar into energy. Without it, sugar builds up in the blood and can reach dangerous levels. To avoid life-threatening complications, people with type 1 diabetes must take some form of insulin for their entire lives.
In people with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot make insulin. This vital hormone helps the body's cells convert sugar into energy. Without it, sugar builds up in the blood and can reach dangerous levels. To avoid life-threatening complications, people with type 1 diabetes must take some form of insulin for their entire lives.
Warning Signs
Unusual Thirst
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes tend to come on suddenly and may include:
- Feeling more thirsty than usual
- Dry mouth
- Fruity breath
- Frequent urination
As blood sugar levels remain high, type 1 diabetes often leads to:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Increase in appetite
- Lack of energy, drowsiness
Many people with type 1 diabetes experience uncomfortable skin conditions, including:
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections
- Itching, dry skin, poor circulation
- Girls with type 1 diabetes are more likely to get genital yeast infections. Babies can develop candidiasis, a severe form of diaper rash caused by yeast that can easily spread from the diaper area to the thighs and stomach.
Type 2 diabetes strikes people of all ages, and early symptoms are subtle. In fact, about one out of three people with type 2 diabetes don't know they have it. This chronic condition thwarts the body's ability to use the carbohydrates in food for energy. The result is elevated blood sugar. Over time, this excess sugar raises the risk for heart disease, loss of vision, nerve and organ damage, and other serious conditions.
Warning Signs
Thirst
People with type 2 diabetes frequently have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, one of the first may be an increase in thirst. This is often accompanied by additional problems, including dry mouth, increased appetite, frequent urination -- sometimes as often as every hour -- and unusual weight loss or gain.
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Headaches
As blood sugar levels become more abnormal, additional symptoms may include headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue.
Infections
In most cases, type 2 diabetes is not discovered until it takes a noticeable toll on health. One red flag is troubling infections, such as:
Headaches
As blood sugar levels become more abnormal, additional symptoms may include headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue.
Infections
In most cases, type 2 diabetes is not discovered until it takes a noticeable toll on health. One red flag is troubling infections, such as:
- Cuts or sores that are slow to heal
- Frequent yeast infections or urinary tract infections
- Itchy skin, especially in the groin area
Sexual dysfunction is common among people with diabetes. Diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels and nerve endings in the genitals, leading to a loss of feeling and making orgasm difficult. Other complications can include vaginal dryness and impotence in men. It's estimated between 35% and 70% of men with diabetes will have at least some degree of impotence in their lifetime. And about 1 in 3 women with diabetes will experience some form of sexual dysfunction.
