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10 symptoms of diabetes

Signs can be subtle. Keep an eye out for these common diabetes symptoms.

Middle-aged black women in office with young female doctor
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Could You Have Diabetes?

For some people, the symptoms of diabetes are obvious. Unrelenting thirst, frequent urination and constant fatigue are surefire tip-offs that something is amiss. But not all symptoms are this clear. In fact, many people may have no symptoms at all until a blood test tells them they have diabetes. This matters, because the earlier you catch diabetes, the sooner you canShow More

Middle aged woman and dog outdoors
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Diabetes Symptom #1: You feel fine

For many people, diabetes causes no symptoms at all, especially early on. In fact, experts estimate that about 7.2 million people in the U.S. have undiagnosed diabetes. Early signs and symptoms can be vague, causing you to dismiss them or confuse them with other problems. Some people simply don'tShow More

restroom sign bathroom sign
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Diabetes Symptom #2: Thirst and frequent urination

People with diabetes may urinate as many as 20 times a day, with a full bladder every time, says Melvin Stjernholm, MD, an endocrinologist in Boulder, Colorado. 

Your kidneys filter blood, keeping substances you need and getting rid of what you don’t. Since glucose is your main source ofShow More

Tired man with beard yawning in airport
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Diabetes Symptom #3: You're tired all the time

Everyone experiences fatigue at one time or another. The combination of having too much to do and not enough sleep is a common problem.

But if you have diabetes, glucose can’t get into your cells properly. It’s almost as if they’re starving while their main source of energy lies just outside. WhenShow More

Middle aged woman with tattoos lying on couch in pain
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Diabetes Symptom #4: Frequent yeast infections

Bacteria and yeast thrive in an environment with lots of sugar. That's why people with diabetes are often prone to such infections, says Betul Hatipoglu, MD, an endocrinologist at Cleveland Clinic. 

Common sites for yeast infections include the mouth (called "oral thrush") and the vagina, asShow More

bandage on finger bandaid
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Diabetes Symptom #5: Cuts and bruises heal slowly

When you have an injury or infection, your body sends white blood cells to heal the damaged tissue. But too much glucose in your blood can slow the work of white blood cells, resulting in cuts and bruises that never seem to heal. 

"Even minor injuries like a cut with a razor will take longerShow More

Sick black woman lying down checking thermometer
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Diabetes Symptom #6: Frequent colds and flu

The same weakened immune system that makes your cuts and bruises heal slowly can also make you more vulnerable to the viruses that cause colds and flu. "It's like a traffic jam where white blood cells can't get to the site of an infection or illness," Hatipoglu says. The result if you have diabetes?Show More

eye chart vision test
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Diabetes Symptom #7: Your vision is blurred

If you notice that things are looking fuzzy, consider getting checked for diabetes. Excess glucose in the bloodstream travels to the eyes and produces a sugar called sorbitol that obstructs your vision. It's as if you're looking through a glass that isn't clear, says Hatipoglu. "I've had patientsShow More

weight loss, weight gain, scale
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Diabetes Symptom #8: Unexplained weight loss

You might be thrilled to notice you've dropped a few pounds—and without even trying. But in people who have diabetes, sudden or unexplained weight loss may be a sign the disease is badly out of control. When cells aren't getting the energy they need from food, the body starts to break down muscleShow More

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Diabetes Symptom #9: You're always hungry

If you aren't exercising more or eating less, but notice you're hungry a lot, it could be a sign of diabetes. To refresh your memory: When your blood glucose level is high, you lose some glucose into the urine. That glucose is your body’s source of energy. Energy means calories, so if you loseShow More

Woman massaging foot pain
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Diabetes Symptom #10: Numbness, tingling or pain

Numbness, tingling, or pain in your feet or hands may be a sign of peripheral neuropathy, a condition caused by damage to your nerves. No one knows exactly why diabetes causes neuropathy, or whether it's the result of too much glucose, excess insulin or another metabolic changes, says Todd Levine,Show More

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