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by: JuliaHanf
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Word Count: 455

Diabetes can present puzzling symptoms. In some cases, the common symptoms may not show up. Diabetes symptoms may not be constant. Similar symptoms may be signs of other diseases. However, there is a common set of signs that generally signal the disease.

A typical symptom of diabetes is excessively frequent urination. The primary definitive symptom of diabetes is an excess of glucose in the blood. In Type 1 diabetes the body fails to produce sufficient insulin to process glucose, while in Type 2 diabetes insulin is not used properly.

The body attempts to compensate by eliminating the excess glucose using the urine. The kidneys work at higher than normal levels to filter out the excess sugar. When they can't remove enough, the remainder is passed through when other fluids are eliminated as waste products of metabolic processes.

The excess urination leads to extreme thirst. A person with untreated diabetes may be constantly thirsty. No amount of fluid seems to quench the thirst, but it does cause more urination.

Another common and possible symptom is continual fatigue. Since insulin isn't performing its role properly by aiding the cells to take in glucose from the bloodstream, the diabetic may feel tired. Glucose is the major source of energy for powering an enormous variety of the body's functions from cell repair to major muscle movement.

But other body systems can be affected by diabetes and show up as symptoms.

Blurry vision can result from any number of conditions, even simple age where it is often just presbyopia. Presbyopia results from reduced elasticity of the lenses as we age, leading to a lessened ability to focus. But the cause in the case of diabetes is very different.

Diabetes affects the eyes by reducing fluids in all your tissues, particularly the lenses. Focusing becomes more difficult. If left untreated, diabetes can cause more blood vessels to appear on the retina, impairing vision. You may see spots (floaters), flashes of light or auras around lights

Diabetes can also affect wound healing. Cuts, especially on the feet may heal more slowly in a person with Type 2 diabetes. Scientists don't clearly understand the reasons for this problem, but can be another symptom. In addition, the immune system is weakened and cannot fight infection as well.

If you think you may have diabetes, don't delay. See a doctor. Only medical experts can accurately confirm that your symptoms indicate diabetes and not some other condition. Blood tests will confirm if you have diabetes. Most insurance policies cover these fairly painless tests.