Symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Bristol Diabetes . Access . What is Diabetes?
The two most common forms of diabetes are Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 and Type 2.

TYPE 2 Diabetes Symptoms
  • symptoms develop slowly, in the early stages there may be no symptoms but with time the symptoms gradually get worse
  • usually over 40 years old when first diagnosed
  • usually over weight
  • frequent urination
  • increased thirst
  • weight loss
  • tiredness/fatigue
  • blurred eyesight
  • injuries slow to heal
  • numbness, loss of sensation or pain in the feet
  • repeated skin, mouth or bladder infections
  • about 9 in 10 of all people with diabetes
Also known as Maturity Onset Diabetes, Adult Onset Diabetes and Non Insulin Dependant Diabetes.

Treatment depending on severity can be any of the following -

  • by diet and exercise only
  • by diet and exercise + drugs
  • by diet and exercise + drugs and insulin
  • by diet and exercise + insulin

As a Type 2 diabetic who (previously) thought exercise a complete waste of time. I will just say that if diabetes is diagnosed both good diet and exercise will help to control diabetes and will lessen the risk of most of diabetes complication occurring.

Good diet and exercise also reduce the risk of developing diabetes in the first place.

External Links

The first link below is to the UK diabetes charity site. It shows the most common or early symptoms of diabetes (of both types) and I recommend the site.

TYPE 1 Diabetes Symptoms

  • quick start of symptoms - usually weeks not months (even years for type 2)
  • usually under 35 years old when first diagnosed
  • slender - not over weight
  • frequent urination
  • increased thirst
  • increased appetite
  • rapid weight loss
  • blurred eyesight
  • tiredness or fatigue
  • numbness or loss of sensation in feet
  • repeated skin, mouth or bladder infections
  • about 1 in 10 of all people with diabetes
Also known as Insulin Dependant Diabetes. The peak age for diagnosis is about 11.

Requires treatment by injection of insulin but knowledge of how diet and exercise effects insulin treatments will also help.

Personal Note - Don't Delay

As a type 2 diabetic who delayed visiting a doctor and has consequently experienced all of those type 2 symptoms and some of diabetes many complications as a consequence. I do strongly recommend an early visit to a medical practitioner if you suspect you have diabetes.

If you have doubts get medical advice! In the UK it usually needs a urine sample and blood sample - to get it confirmed or I hope cleared.

The worst thing you can do is leave it untreated. Treatment can completely clear the symptoms and also reduce the risk of longer term problems developing or progressing!

Catch it QUICKLY! It may not even involve drugs or insulin if you do!

Peter

Other Types of Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes

 Gestational Diabetes is an often temporary form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.

Although it may be temporary it is serious and if you are concerned I suggest you see the external link below

External Link

Diabetes UK - Gestational Diabetes

Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY)

Age is an important indicator in the type of Diabetes but exceptions do occur.

Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young or MODY has a 50% chance of inheritance from a parent and is usually developed before the age of 25. Symptoms and treatments are the same as for Type 2 above, apart from age.

MODY is still rare in the UK, although teenagers in Bristol were the first in the UK to have it diagnosed.

Latent (or Late Onset) Autoimmune Diabetes of Adulthood (LADA)

Is another exception when Type 1 diabetes develops later in life.

Symptoms and treatments are the same as for Type 1 above, apart from age. Because of their age LADA diabetic's can be diagnosed as Type 2 but diet and drug treatments quickly fail and the condition quickly requires injection by insulin.

Also known as Type 1.5 diabetes.