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Diseases » Type 2 diabetes » Symptoms

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes



Contents

List of symptoms of Type 2 diabetes:

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Type 2 diabetes includes the 63 symptoms listed below:

Note that Type 2 diabetes symptoms usually refers to various symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Type 2 diabetes signs may refer to those signs only noticable by a doctor.

More ways to research these symptoms: To research other symptoms use the symptom center, or to research causes of more than one symptom in combination, try our multi-symptom search.

Research More About Type 2 diabetes

Do I have Type 2 diabetes?

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical tests related to Type 2 diabetes:

Wrongly Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes?

The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Type 2 diabetes includes:

See the full list of 22 alternative diagnoses for Type 2 diabetes

More about symptoms of Type 2 diabetes:

More information about symptoms of Type 2 diabetes and related conditions:

Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms

Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions, or drug side effect causes of that symptom.

Medical Books Online about Type 2 diabetes

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Full text. Free access without registration. The full text of published medical book chapters related to Type 2 diabetes is available from published medical books for more detailed information about Type 2 diabetes.

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Full text. Free access (no registration).

GLYCOSURIA

  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs"

HYPERGLYCEMIA

  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs"

POLYDIPSIA

  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs"

Hyperglycemia

  • "In a Page: Signs and Symptoms"

Hyperglycemia

  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms"

Polydipsia

  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms"

GLYCOSURIA

  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care"

HYPERGLYCEMIA

  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care"

POLYDIPSIA

  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care"

Polydipsia

  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)"

Diabetes Insipidus

  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis"

Hyperglycemia

  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis"

Diabetes insipidus

  • "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)"

Diabetes mellitus

  • "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)"

Diabetic complications during pregnancy

  • "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)"

Diabetic ketoacidosis

  • "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)"

Hereditary fructose intolerance

  • "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)"

Hypothyroidism in adults

  • "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)"

Polydipsia

  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)"

Diabetes Mellitus

  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter"

Polydipsia

  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter"

Diabetes insipidus

  • "Handbook of Diseases"

Diabetes mellitus

  • "Handbook of Diseases"

Diabetic complications during pregnancy

  • "Handbook of Diseases"

Drug abuse and dependence

  • "Handbook of Diseases"

Hypothyroidism in adults

  • "Handbook of Diseases"

Polydipsia

  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses"

Polyuria and Polydipsia

  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics"

Polydipsia

  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms"

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

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Patient Surveys for Type 2 diabetes

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review the full text of medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes.


Diabetes insipidus: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

The patient’s history typically shows an abrupt onset of extreme polyuria (usually 4 to 16 L/day of dilute urine but sometimes as much as 30 L/day). As a result, the patient is extremely thirsty and drinks great quantities of water to compensate for the body’s water loss. This disorder may also result in nocturia. In severe cases, it may lead to extreme fatigue from inadequate rest caused by frequent voiding and excessive thirst.

Other characteristic features of diabetes insipidus include signs and symptoms of dehydration (poor tissue turgor, dry mucous membranes, constipation, muscle weakness, dizziness, and hypotension). These symptoms usually begin abruptly, commonly appearing within 1 to 2 days after a basal skull fracture, a stroke, or surgery. Relieving cerebral edema or increased intracranial pressure may cause all of these symptoms to subside just as rapidly as they began.

READ FULL BOOK TEXT ONLINE »

Diabetes mellitus: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Diabetes may begin dramatically with ketoacidosis or insidiously. Its most common symptom is fatigue from energy deficiency and a catabolic state. Insulin deficiency causes hyperglycemia, which pulls fluid from body tissues, causing osmotic diuresis, polyuria, dehydration, polydipsia, dry mucous membranes, poor skin turgor and, in most patients, unexplained weight loss.

ELDER TIP Because their thirst mechanism functions less effectively, older adults may not report polydipsia, a hallmark of diabetes in younger adults.

In ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome, dehydration may cause hypovolemia and shock. Wasting of glucose in the urine usually produces weight loss and hunger in type 1 diabetes, even if the patient eats voraciously.

Long-term effects of diabetes may include retinopathy, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, and peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy usually affects the hands and feet and may cause numbness or pain. Autonomic neuropathy may manifest itself in several ways, including gastroparesis (leading to delayed gastric emptying and a feeling of nausea and fullness after meals), nocturnal diarrhea, impotence, and orthostatic hypotension.

Because hyperglycemia impairs the patient’s resistance to infection, diabetes may result in skin and urinary tract infections (UTIs) and vaginitis. Glucose content of the epidermis and urine encourages bacterial growth.

READ FULL BOOK TEXT ONLINE »

Diabetic complications during pregnancy: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Indications for diagnostic screening for maternal diabetes mellitus during pregnancy include obesity, excessive weight gain, excessive hunger or thirst, polyuria, recurrent monilial infections, glycosuria, previous delivery of a large neonate, polyhydramnios, maternal hypertension, and a family history of diabetes.

Uncontrolled diabetes in a pregnant female can cause stillbirth, fetal anomalies, premature delivery, and birth of a neonate who’s large or small for gestational age. Such neonates are predisposed to severe episodes of hypoglycemia shortly after birth and may also develop hypocalcemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and respiratory distress syndrome.

READ FULL BOOK TEXT ONLINE »

Diabetic ketoacidosis: Signs and Symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Acetone breath, Kussmaul’s respirations, dehydration, weak and thready pulse, nausea, vomiting, altered level of consciousness, dry mucous membranes, serum glucose level of 300 to 1,500 mg/dl

READ FULL BOOK TEXT ONLINE »

Hereditary fructose intolerance: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Typically, clinical features of hereditary fructose intolerance appear shortly after dietary introduction of foods containing fructose or sucrose. Symptoms are more severe in infants than in older people and include hypoglycemia, nausea, vomiting, pallor, excessive sweating, cyanosis, and tremor. In neonates and young children, continuous ingestion of foods containing fructose may result in failure to thrive, hypoglycemia, jaundice, hyperbilirubinemia, ascites, hepatomegaly, vomiting, dehydration, hypophosphatemia, albuminuria, aminoaciduria, seizures, coma, febrile episodes, substernal pain, and anemia.

READ FULL BOOK TEXT ONLINE »

Hypothyroidism in adults: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Typically, the early clinical features of hypothyroidism are vague: fatigue, menstrual changes, hypercholesterolemia, forgetfulness, sensitivity to cold, unexplained weight gain, and constipation. As the disorder progresses, characteristic myxedematous signs and symptoms appear: decreasing mental stability; dry, flaky, inelastic skin; puffy face, hands, and feet; hoarseness; periorbital edema; upper eyelid droop; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. (See Facial signs of myxedema.)

Cardiovascular involvement leads to decreased cardiac output, slow pulse rate, signs of poor peripheral circulation and, occasionally, an enlarged heart. Other common effects include anorexia, abdominal distention, menorrhagia, decreased libido, infertility, ataxia, intention tremor, and nystagmus. Reflexes show delayed relaxation time (especially in the Achilles tendon).

Alert  Progression to myxedema coma is usually gradual but when stress (such as hip fracture, infection, or myocardial infarction) aggravates severe or prolonged hypothyroidism, coma may develop abruptly. Clinical effects include progressive stupor, hypoventilation, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, hypotension, and hypothermia.

READ FULL BOOK TEXT ONLINE »

Diabetes insipidus: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

The patient’s history typically shows an abrupt onset of extreme polyuria (usually 4 to 16 L/day of dilute urine, but sometimes as much as 30 L/day). As a result, the patient is extremely thirsty and drinks great quantities of water to compensate for the body’s water loss. This disorder may also result in hourly nocturia.

If the patient is unable to obtain adequate quantities of water, features of diabetes insipidus include signs and symptoms of dehydration (poor tissue turgor, dry mucous membranes, constipation, muscle weakness, dizziness, and hypotension). Polyuria usually begins abruptly, commonly appearing within 1 to 2 days after a basal skull fracture, a stroke, or surgery.

Relieving cerebral edema or increased intracranial pressure may cause all of these symptoms to subside just as rapidly as they began.

READ FULL BOOK TEXT ONLINE »

Diabetes mellitus: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

Diabetes may begin dramatically with ketoacidosis in type 1 or insidiously. Its most common symptom is fatigue, from energy deficiency and a catabolic state. However, many patients with type 2 diabetes may be asymptomatic.

Insulin deficiency or resistance causes hyperglycemia, which pulls fluid from body tissues, causing osmotic diuresis, polyuria, dehydration, polydipsia, dry mucous membranes, and poor skin turgor. In ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic state, dehydration may cause hypovolemia and shock. Wasting of glucose in the urine usually produces weight loss and hunger in uncontrolled type 1 diabetes, even if the patient eats voraciously.

Long-term effects

In diabetes, long-term effects may include retinopathy, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, and peripheral and autonomic neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy usually affects the hands and feet and may cause numbness or pain. Autonomic neuropathy may manifest itself in several ways, including gastroparesis (leading to delayed gastric emptying and a feeling of nausea and fullness after meals), nocturnal diarrhea, impotence, and postural hypotension.

Because hyperglycemia impairs the patient’s resistance to infection, diabetes may result in skin and urinary tract infections and vaginitis. Glucose content of the epidermis and urine encourages bacterial growth.

READ FULL BOOK TEXT ONLINE »

Diabetic complications during pregnancy: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

All women should receive diagnostic screening for maternal diabetes mellitus during pregnancy. Women at higher risk or with a history of gestational diabetes, fetal or birth problems, may warrant early screening in the second trimester using a formal glucose tolerance test.

Uncontrolled diabetes in a pregnant woman can cause stillbirth, fetal anomalies, premature delivery, and birth of an infant who is large or small for gestational age. Such infants are predisposed to severe episodes of hypoglycemia shortly after birth. These infants may also develop hypocalcemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and respiratory distress syndrome.

READ FULL BOOK TEXT ONLINE »

Drug abuse and dependence: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

Indications of acute intoxication vary, depending on the drug.

Clinical tip  The drug user seldom seeks treatment specifically for his drug problem. Instead, he may seek emergency treatment for drug-related injuries or complications.

Friends, family members, or law enforcement officials may bring the patient to the hospital because of respiratory depression, unconsciousness, acute injury, or a psychiatric crisis.

Physical examination

Examine the patient for signs and symptoms of drug use or drug-related complications as well as for clues to the type of drug ingested. For example, fever can result from stimulant or hallucinogen intoxication, from withdrawal, or from infection from I.V. drug use.

Inspect the eyes for lacrimation from opioid withdrawal, nystagmus from central nervous system (CNS) depressants or phencyclidine intoxication, and drooping eyelids from opioid or CNS depressant use. Constricted pupils occur with opioid use or withdrawal; dilated pupils, with the use of hallucinogens or amphetamines.

Examine the nose for rhinorrhea from opioid withdrawal and the oral and nasal mucosa for signs of drug-induced irritation. Drug sniffing can result in inflammation, atrophy, or perforation of the nasal mucosa. Dental conditions commonly result from the poor oral hygiene associated with chronic drug use. Also inspect under the tongue for evidence of I.V. drug injection.

Inspect the skin. Sweating, a common sign of intoxication with opioids or CNS stimulants, also accompanies most drug withdrawal syndromes. Drug use sometimes induces a sensation of bugs crawling on the skin, known as formication; as a result, the patient’s skin may be excoriated from scratching.

Needle marks or tracks are an obvious sign of I.V. drug abuse. Keep in mind that the patient may attempt to conceal or disguise injection sites with tattoos or by selecting an inconspicuous site, such as under the nails.

In addition, self-injection can sometimes cause cellulitis or abscesses, especially in patients who also are chronic alcoholics. Puffy hands can be a late sign of thrombophlebitis or of fascial infection from self-injection on the hands or arms.

Auscultation may disclose bilateral crackles and rhonchi caused by smoking and inhaling drugs or by opioid overdose. Other cardiopulmonary signs of overdose include pulmonary edema, respiratory depression, aspiration pneumonia, and hypotension.

CNS stimulants and some hallucinogens may precipitate refractory acute-onset hypertension or cardiac arrhythmias. Withdrawal from opioids or CNS depressants can also provoke arrhythmias and, occasionally, hypotension.

During opioid withdrawal, the patient may report abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. Opioid abusers also commonly complain of hemorrhoids, a consequence of the constipating effects of these drugs. Palpation of an enlarged liver, with or without tenderness, may indicate hepatitis.

Neurologic symptoms of drug abuse include tremors, hyperreflexia, hyporeflexia, and seizures. Abrupt withdrawal may precipitate signs of CNS depression (ranging from lethargy to coma), hallucinations, or signs of overstimulation, including euphoria and violent behavior.

Medical history

Carefully review the patient’s medical history. Suspect drug abuse if he reports a painful injury or chronic illness but refuses a diagnostic workup. In his attempt to obtain drugs, the dependent patient may feign illnesses, such as migraine headaches, myocardial infarction, and renal colic; claim an allergy to over-the-counter analgesics; or even request a specific medication.

Also, be alert for a previous history of overdose or a high tolerance for potentially addictive drugs. I.V. drug users may have a history of hepatitis or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection from sharing dirty needles. Female drug users may report a history of amenorrhea.

A patient who abuses drugs may give you a fictitious name and address, be reluctant to discuss previous hospitalizations, or seek treatment at a medical facility across town rather than in his own neighborhood. If possible, interview family members to verify his responses.

If the patient admits to drug use, try to determine the extent to which this behavior interferes with his normal functioning. Note whether he expresses a desire to overcome his dependence on drugs.

If possible, obtain a drug history consisting of substances ingested, amount, frequency, and last dose. Expect incomplete or inaccurate responses. Drug-induced amnesia, a depressed level of consciousness, or ignorance may distort the patient’s recollection of the facts; he also may deliberately fabricate answers to avoid arrest or to conceal a suicide attempt.

The hospitalized drug abuser is likely to be uncooperative, disruptive, or even violent. He may experience mood swings, anxiety, impaired memory, sleep disturbances, flashbacks, slurred speech, depression, and thought disorders.

Some patients resort to plays on sympathy, bribery, or threats to obtain drugs. They may also try to manipulate caregivers by pitting one against another.

READ FULL BOOK TEXT ONLINE »

Hypothyroidism in adults: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

Typically, the early clinical features of hypothyroidism are vague and may include fatigue, forgetfulness, sensitivity to cold, unexplained weight gain, and constipation. As the disorder progresses, characteristic myxedematous signs and symptoms appear, such as decreasing mental stability; dry, flaky, inelastic skin; puffy face, hands, and feet; hoarseness; periorbital edema; upper eyelid droop; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails.

Cardiovascular involvement leads to decreased cardiac output, slow pulse rate, signs of poor peripheral circulation and, occasionally, an enlarged heart. Other common effects include anorexia, abdominal distention, menorrhagia, decreased libido, infertility, ataxia, and nystagmus. Reflexes show delayed relaxation time (especially in the Achilles tendon).

Progression to myxedema coma is usually gradual, but when stress aggravates severe or prolonged hypothyroidism, coma may develop abruptly. Clinical effects include progressive stupor, hypoventilation, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, hypotension, and hypothermia.

READ FULL BOOK TEXT ONLINE »

Article Excerpts About Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes:

Diabetes Overview: NIDDK (Excerpt)

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually. They are not as sudden in onset as in type 1 diabetes. Some people have no symptoms. Symptoms may include fatigue or nausea, frequent urination, unusual thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow healing of wounds or sores. (Source: excerpt from Diabetes Overview: NIDDK)

Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: NIDDK (Excerpt)

Many people have no signs or symptoms. Symptoms can also be so mild that you might not even notice them. Five million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes and do not know it. Here is what to look for:

  • increased thirst
  • increased hunger
  • fatigue
  • increased urination, especially at night
  • weight loss
  • blurred vision
  • sores that do not heal

Sometimes people have symptoms but do not suspect diabetes. They delay scheduling a checkup because they do not feel sick. Many people do not find out they have the disease until they have diabetes complications, such as blurry vision or heart trouble. It is important to find out early if you have diabetes because treatment can prevent damage to the body from diabetes. (Source: excerpt from Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: NIDDK)

Diabetes: NWHIC (Excerpt)

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually and are not as noticeable as in type 1 diabetes. Symptoms include feeling tired or ill, frequent urination (especially at night), unusual thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow healing of sores. (Source: excerpt from Diabetes: NWHIC)

Diabetes: NWHIC (Excerpt)

People with type 2 diabetes often do not have symptoms, but you might have one or more of these signs:

  • being very thirsty

  • urinating often

  • feeling very hungry or tired

  • losing weight without trying

  • having sores that are slow to heal

  • having dry, itchy skin

  • having tingling or numbness in the feet or hands

  • having blurred vision.

(Source: excerpt from Diabetes: NWHIC)

Dealing With Diabetes - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)

Some people with diabetes feel "run down" or have symptoms that may go unrecognized. Others have symptoms such as feeling thirsty, urinating frequently, losing weight, feeling tired, having blurred vision, getting skin infections, and having slow healing cuts and bruises. These problems should be reported to a doctor right away. (Source: excerpt from Dealing With Diabetes - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)

Type 2 diabetes as a Cause of Symptoms or Medical Conditions

When considering symptoms of Type 2 diabetes, it is also important to consider Type 2 diabetes as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Type 2 diabetes may cause:

- (Source - Diseases Database)

Medical articles and books on symptoms:

These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:

Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

About signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes:

The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. This signs and symptoms information for Type 2 diabetes has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Type 2 diabetes signs or Type 2 diabetes symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Type 2 diabetes symptoms.


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