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Symptoms
In teenagers and young adults, symptoms of type 2 diabetes may develop over several weeks. In overweight adults older than 40, diabetes tends to develop more gradually over several years. Often diabetes goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem harmless. Finding and treating diabetes early can help reduce the chance of complications.
Some diabetes symptoms include:
- Increased fatigue.
- Extreme hunger.
- Excessive thirst.
- Frequent urination (especially needing to get up during the night).
- Blurred vision.
- Irritability.
- Weight loss.
- Frequent infections (especially urinary tract infections, boils, and fungal infections).
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence).
- Slow healing of cuts and sores.
Because of the nature of these symptoms, diabetes might not be discovered until you see a doctor about another health problem that could be caused by the undiagnosed diabetes.
IF YOU HAVE DIABETES:
You and your family should learn these common symptoms:
| Severe Low Blood Sugar |
High Blood Sugar |
| Slurring of words |
Urinating more than usual |
| Dizziness and confusion |
Fruity or sweet smell |
| Sweating |
Vomiting |
| Hunger |
Feeling tired and worn out |
| Pale, clammy skin |
Stomach upset |
| Tingling feeling around your mouth |
Trouble breathing |
| Seizures |
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Call your doctor immediately if you experience the symptoms in either of these lists.
If your blood sugars are recording low and you do NOT have these symptoms, you may be unaware of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia happens from time to time to everyone who has diabetes.
HYPOGLYCEMIA COULD BE SERIOUS.
If you are worried about hypoglycemia, you should:
- Carry something sweet with you at all times
- Check your finger-stick sugar levels at least four times per day.
Check your blood sugar according to your doctor's directions. Treat hyperglycemia as soon as possible because you want to prevent long-term complications. Type 2 patients can have extremely high glucose levels - 300 mg/dL to 400 mg/dL for weeks and not develop ketoacidosis, which is life-threatening complication when your body doesn't have enough insulin. This is rare for people with type 2 diabetes.
More on Diabetes Type 2
In the Encyclopedia:
Warning Signs
 | Extreme hunger or thirst |
| Unexplained weight loss |
| Frequent urination |
| Blurred vision |
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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