How to Recognise Diabetes

Symptoms for Type 1 Diabetes may occur suddenly and include:

  • Excessive thirst
  • Frequent urination including bedwetting
  • Excessive hunger
  • Unexplained weakness and fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Blurred vision
  • Vaginal discharge or itch in young girls
  • Nausea and vomiting

The symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes have a gradual onset. They can be easily missed or mistaken as part of the normal aging process. They include:

  • Blurred vision;
  • Tiredness;
  • Urinating more frequently;
  • Feeling thirsty all the time;
  • Numbness and tingling in the feet or legs; and
  • Recurrent infections.

If these symptoms occur, you should see a doctor.   

Reviewed December 2011

Related HealthInsite Topics

Blood Testing for Diabetes

HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about blood testing for diabetes.

13 Resources Found

Results 1 to 13 displayed.

Title:   Hyperglycaemia
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Hyperglycaemia means too much glucose is circulating in the blood. When blood glucose is persistently high, a diagnosis of diabetes is made. Most people have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Some people may have conditions that can cause diabetes, such as Cushing's syndrome, pancreatitis or liver disease. Without treatment, diabetes can damage organs including the kidneys, eyes and nerves.
Date:   Nov 2011
Title:   Computer-assisted versus oral-and-written family history taking for identifying people with elevated risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   We know that diabetes runs in families. For this reason, healthcare professionals routinely take family histories to help them identify people who are at high risk of developing diabetes. Patient histories may be recorded manually by using oral-and-wri...
Date:   Jun 2011
Title:   Pre-diabetes
Publisher:   Diabetes Australia - Vic (DA - Vic)
Description:   Who is at risk of pre-diabetes and how it is diagnosed.
Date:   Oct 2010
Title:   Diagnosis
Publisher:   Diabetes Australia - Vic (DA - Vic)
Description:   How diabetes is diagnosed.
Date:   Oct 2010
Title:   Animation: diabetes and your body - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Take a look at this animation showing some of the long-term effects of diabetes on the body.
Date:   Jun 2010
Title:   Diabetes and urine glucose monitoring - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   A urine glucose test determines whether or not glucose (sugar) is present in the urine, and can be used to help monitor diabetes control.
Date:   Oct 2009
Title:   Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre
Publisher:   National Health and Medical Research Council
Description:   Information about the Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre (DVDC).
Date:   Apr 2008
Title:   Diabetes explained
Publisher:   National Prescribing Service
Description:   Describes the two types of diabetes mellitus and the symptoms of diabetes.
Date:   Jun 2006
Title:   National evidence based guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Publisher:   National Health and Medical Research Council
Description:   The Evidence Based Guidelines for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes represent systematically generated statements that are designed to assist health care clinicians and consumers to make informed decisions about appropriate treatment in specific circumstances.
Date:   Jun 2005
Title:   Diabetes - how often should you get check ups?
Publisher:   Multicultural Health Communication Service
Description:   A guide to the regular check ups needed by people with diabetes, and information on care of the feet, eyes, kidneys and blood vessels.
Date:   Aug 2003
Title:   Diabetes and healthy eating - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   Some tips toward a nutrition plan for those with diabetes.
Date:   Jul 2001
Title:   One in 4 Australians has or will develop diabetes: study - myDr.com.au
Publisher:   myDr
Description:   An alarming number of Australians and Europeans have diabetes according to research.
Date:   Jul 2001
Title:   Are you at risk from the world's fastest growing disease?
Publisher:   Multicultural Health Communication Service (NSW)
Description:   A checklist of risk factors for diabetes is provided, with advice to see a doctor for a checkup if you have two or more symptoms.
Date:   Jul 1999

Results 1 to 13 displayed.