Diabetes is a serious condition which, when left untreated, could lead to various complications. Once complications start to show, it can be difficult for a person to live a normal life. If you are one of the individuals who have a long family history of this disease, you should be aware of the different diabetic symptoms. Studies have shown that people with familial diabetes are predisposed to this type of disease. Take precautions and learn more about the most common diabetic symptoms as early as possible.

Get to know the disease

Diabetic symptoms may vary from person to person. Some people experience dramatic changes and severe diabetic symptoms, while others show no signs of the disease. According to experts, the degree of diabetic symptoms also varies according to the type of diabetes. Most people with type II diabetes often do not have early-onset diabetic symptoms, while children with type I diabetes often have diabetic symptoms at the onset of the disease. On the other hand, pregnant women who suffer from gestational diabetes often show no symptoms and many pregnant women are not treated until the disease has become serious.

Symptoms of Type I Diabetes

Type I diabetes often affects children and young adults. According to experts, this type of diabetes is often due to a genetic defect. Children born to Type I parents have a high chance of suffering from this disease. Unlike type II diabetes, which is developing slowly, type I diabetes can develop very quickly. The symptoms of this disease are often fatigue, weight loss, excessive urination, insatiable thirst, weakness, and slow wound healing. The diabetic symptoms of children may vary and some children have more severe symptoms than the others.

Without treatment, Type I diabetes can be fatal, especially to young children. Many children and even adults have ended up in hospitals due to diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemia. Without immediate treatment, people with diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemia may go into shock and die.

Symptoms of Type II Diabetes

Unlike type I diabetes, which can develop rapidly, type II diabetes gradually develops over a long period of time. According to experts, overweight people are more likely to experience this type of disease compared to their leaner counterparts. Since type II diabetes is developing slowly, some people who already have the disease do not show any diabetic symptoms for some time. However, as the disease slowly develops in the body, the sufferer may experience some diabetic symptoms, including frequent urination, excessive thirst, increased-hunger, slow healing of cuts (especially on the feet), blurred vision and weakness.

Type II diabetes can cause long-term complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, severe skin infections and gangrene, blindness and neurological problems. Fortunately, as Type II develops slowly, people predisposed to the disease still have a great opportunity to prevent it. According to experts, weight loss, proper nutrition and exercise can delay or even prevent type II diabetes.

Gestational diabetes

Because gestational diabetes often has no obvious symptoms, some pregnant women suffering from this type of diabetes often go through pregnancy without knowing that they have diabetes. Although this type of diabetes rarely causes miscarriages, gestational diabetes can be dangerous for both mother and child. Pregnant women suffering from gestational diabetes are at risk of high blood pressure. On the other hand, for babies born of diabetic mothers, shortness of breath may exist. 

*The author of this blog is not a medical professional and this article does not contain professional medical advice. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, treatment, or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of the contents of this article. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.