The onset of symptoms for Type 1 diabetes is sudden and dramatic, whereas symptoms for type 2 diabetes is likely to be gradual and making it harder to detect. The most common are:
Abnormal thirst and a dry mouth
Sudden weight loss
Frequent urination
Slow-healing wounds
Extreme tiredness / lack of energy
Recurrent infections
Constant hunger
Blurred vision
Some people with type 2 diabetes show no obvious symptoms early on and are often diagnosed several years later, when various complications are already present.
Risks
Diabetes leads to short and long-term complications, many of which, if not prevented and left untreated, can be fatal. The most common long-term complications are:
Cardiovascular disease (leading to a heart attack or stroke)
Nerve diseases (leads to amputations of feet or lower limbs)
Kidney failure
Vision loss
Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death by disease globally. Every 10 seconds one person dies from diabetes-related causes.
