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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Type 2 diabetes symptoms may develop very slowly. In fact, you can have type 2 diabetes for years and not even know it. Look for:

  • Increased thirst and frequent urination. As excess sugar builds up in your bloodstream, fluid is pulled from the tissues. This may leave you thirsty. As a result, you may drink — and urinate — more than usual.
  • Increased hunger. Without enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, your muscles and organs become depleted for energy. This triggers intense hunger.
  • Weight loss. Despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger, you may lose weight. Without the ability to use glucose, the body uses alternative fuels stored in muscle and fat. Calories are lost as excess glucose is released in the urine.
  • Fatigue. If your cells are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable.
  • Blurred vision. If your blood sugar is too high, fluid may be pulled from the lenses of your eyes. This may affect your ability to focus clearly.
  • Slow-healing sores or frequent infections. Type 2 diabetes affects your ability to heal and resist infections.
  • Areas of darkened skin. Some people with type 2 diabetes have patches of dark, velvety skin in the folds and creases of their bodies — usually in the armpits and neck. This condition, called acanthosis nigricans, may be a sign of insulin resistance.

When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you're concerned about diabetes or if you notice any type 2 diabetes symptoms.

Causes Definition
References
  1. Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch158/ch158b.html#sec12-ch158-ch158b-1105. Accessed April 2, 2009.
  2. Your guide to diabetes: Type 1 and type 2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/index.htm. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  3. The dangerous toll of diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/dangerous-toll.jsp. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  4. Jeerakathil T, et al. Short-term risk for stroke is doubled in persons with newly treated type 2 diabetes compared with persons without diabetes. Stroke. 2007;38:1739.
  5. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: 2009. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/123565990943909Heart%20and%20Stroke%20Update.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  6. Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2009. Alexandria, Va.: American Diabetes Association. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/vol31/Supplement_1/. Accessed April 1, 2009.
  7. What people with diabetes need to know about osteoporosis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  8. Xu WL, et al. Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease: A population-based cohort study. Diabetologia. In Press. Accessed April 7, 2009.
  9. Launer LJ. Diabetes: Vascular or neurodegenerative: An epidemiologic perspective. Stroke. 2009;40(suppl):S53.
  10. Bainbridge KE. Diabetes and hearing impairment in the United States: Audiometric evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 to 2004. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2008;149:1.
  11. Screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Rockville, Md.: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2008;148:846.
  12. Estimated average glucose, eAG. American Diabetes Association. http://professional.diabetes.org/GlucoseCalculator.aspx. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  13. Delahanty LM, et al. Nutritional considerations in type 2 diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  14. Diabetes and women's sexual health. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/women-sexual-health.jsp. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  15. Denkins DJ, et al. Effect of a low glycemic index or a high cereal fiber diet on type 2 diabetes: A randomized trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;300:2742.
  16. Sigal RJ, et al. Effects of aerobic training, resistance training, or both on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2007;147:357.
  17. About omnipod. Omnipod.com. http://www.myomnipod.com/products/. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  18. High blood sugar: Definition, symptoms. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=EC92D98E-1321-C844-13EB771367A49526. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  19. What is hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome? American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/treatment-conditions/hhns.jsp. Accessed April 7, 2009.
  20. Smoking. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/smoking.jsp. Accessed April 3, 2009.
  21. Anderson RA. Chromium and polyphenols from cinnamon improve insulin sensitivity. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2008;67:48.
  22. Baker WL. Effect of cinnamon on glucose control and lipid parameters. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:41.
  23. International Expert Committee. International Expert Committee report on the role of the A1C assay in the diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009;32:1.

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June 13, 2009

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