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.

Having to urinate frequently is a classic symptom of diabetes. High blood glucose levels are a definitive sign of diabetes. The body may produce insufficient insulin to deal with glucose (Type 1 diabetes) or the body may not use insulin properly (Type 2 diabetes).

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.

Fatigue that will not go away may also accompany diabetes. Glucose is the body’s major energy source and it must be processed with the aid of insulin. When insulin is not present or not used properly the person will have little energy and will feel fatigued.

Symptoms of diabetes can show up in other body systems as well.

Age and other conditions can cause blurry vision. As we age, the lenses of our eyes lose their elasticity, making focusing more difficult. This is called presbyopia. Vision problems related to diabetes, are more damaging than simple age related changes.

In diabetes, high blood glucose levels decrease the fluid in all the tissues, especially in the lenses. This impedes focusing. New blood vessels form in the retina as diabetes advances and can severely impair vision, causing spots or flashing lights in the visual field. Rings can appear around lights.

In some instances, cuts (particularly on the feet) may be slower to heal when a person has Type 2 diabetes. The reasons are not yet fully understood, but it is one more indicator. At the same time, the immune system is affected, leading to a lowered ability to fight off infection.

Since so many of these symptoms can be (and are) produced by a number of other conditions, the best course of action if you suspect you have diabetes is to seek a professional diagnosis. Simple blood tests can determine with a high degree of confidence whether or not you do in fact have the disease. They’re relatively painless and most are covered by ordinary health insurance.