How To Recognize Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Dear Dr. Deena,
What are some of the common symptoms of Diabetes?
Thanks,
RA

Thanks for reaching out to me, RA. It's important to note that Diabetes can be a silent killer with no symptoms present. Approximately 1 in 4 people with diabetes will have NO symptoms.

Even if one does not experience symptoms related to Diabetes, they may still be at risk for developing the long-term effects of high sugars on the kidney, nerves, eyes, and other organs. We will discuss these complications at another time.

The most common symptoms of Diabetes are:

1. Increased frequency of urination 

When glucose levels are high, your body attempts to get rid of the excess sugar by urinating it out along with water. You may notice that poorly controlled diabetics are constantly going to the bathroom

2. Increased thirst 

As you urinate out more water and sugar – you lose fluid. When you lose fluid you become dehydrated and dehydration leads to increased thirst

3. Blurred vision 

High glucose levels can cause part of your eye (called the lens) to swell and make it difficult to see 

4. Extreme Fatigue

5. Weight Loss even despite no change in diet or eating more

This is more typically seen in Type 1 Diabetics as they lose skeletal muscle mass 

6. Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands and/or feet

High blood sugars over time can cause nerve injury which lead to these symptoms, called "neuropathy"

7. Sexual dysfunction in men

High blood sugars over time can cause nerve injury and blood vessel injury around the penis which may lead to erectile dysfunction

If you or your loved one are experiencing the symptoms I have outlined above -- you should reach out to your doctor right away to be evaluated for Diabetes. The diagnosis can be made with a simple blood test!

I hope this information was helpful, RA. As always please feel free to send all questions and comments to DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com.

Fun fact:

Do you know the story behind how this condition got its name?

Diabetes is short for it's full medical name -- Diabetes Mellitus which means "passing through of honey." (Remember that Diabetics have high amount of sugar (or glucose) in their blood and urine). The name was coined by Dr. Thomas Willis in the 17th century (the Circle of Willis was named after him as well!). 

Dr. Willis determined whether his patients had diabetes or not by sampling their urine.  If it had a sweet taste he would diagnose them with diabetes mellitus or "honeyed" diabetes. Interestingly -- he is not the first person to have done this...ancient manuscripts date back to the year 960 where the Persians mentioned this sweet taste of urine in patients who were very ill. This method of monitoring blood sugars went largely unchanged until the 20th century.