From the Guidelines
Diabetes is characterized by symptoms of marked hyperglycemia, including polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, sometimes with polyphagia, and blurred vision, as well as potential long-term complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy 1. The signs and symptoms of diabetes can be divided into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute symptoms include polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, and blurred vision, which are a result of marked hyperglycemia 1.
- Polyuria: frequent urination due to the body's attempt to eliminate excess glucose through the urine
- Polydipsia: excessive thirst and fluid intake in response to polyuria
- Weight loss: despite increased appetite and food intake, the body is unable to utilize glucose for energy, leading to weight loss
- Blurred vision: high blood glucose levels can cause the lens in the eye to swell, leading to blurred vision Chronic complications of diabetes include:
- Retinopathy: damage to the blood vessels in the retina, potentially leading to vision loss
- Nephropathy: damage to the kidneys, potentially leading to renal failure
- Neuropathy: damage to the nerves, potentially leading to numbness, tingling, and pain in the hands and feet These complications can be prevented or delayed with proper management of blood glucose levels, including lifestyle modifications and medication therapy 1.
From the Research
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
There are no research papers provided that directly discuss the signs and symptoms of diabetes. The studies available focus on various topics such as the effect of acetaminophen on fever in bacterial vs. viral infections 2, coping with upper respiratory infections 3, the clinical neglect of vital signs' assessment 4, pain relief in acute otitis media in children 5, and antimicrobial therapies for chronic pain 6. None of these studies provide information on the signs and symptoms of diabetes.